BRIEFLY : AGASSI STRUGGLES; MUSTER OUT.

Pete Sampras and Boris Becker won in straight sets and an injured Thomas Muster withdrew Wednesday from the Stuttgart ATP, a tournament featuring all of the world's top players.

Andre Agassi played as if he were still on vacation, squandering five match points before struggling past Spain's Alberto Berasategui 6-1, 7-6 (7-5).

``I felt good out there, but I haven't played the matches,'' said Agassi, the No. 9 seed. ``Maybe that's why I couldn't put it away.''

Agassi's last event was in early September, when Michael Chang knocked him out at the U.S. Open semifinals.

Becker and Agassi are trying to gain enough points to qualify for the year-end Grand Slam Cup, which features the world's top eight players.

Sampras coasted past qualifier Sargis Sargsian of Armenia 6-3, 6-4 in the second round, and Becker ousted Britain's hard-serving Greg Rusedski 6-4, 6-4.

``I have to be satisfied to win in straight sets here because this is probably the best field ever,'' Becker said.

All the world's top 38 players are playing at the $2.2 million event, except injured Ukrainian Andrei Medvedev. The draw is harder than most Grand Slam events.

Top-seeded Anke Huber defeated German compatriot Barbara Rittner 6-3, 6-4 to reach the second round of the Luxembourg Seat Open. Sixth-seeded Judith Wiesner was bounced out of the tournament by Natasha Zvereva 6-4, 6-2 in a second-round match.

BASKETBALL

Richie Adams, the Big West player of the year at UNLV who was drafted by the Washington Bullets in 1985, was charged with murder in the death of a 14-year-old Bronx girl, police said. Adams, 33, turned himself in and was charged with second-degree murder, said a police spokeswoman.

His alleged victim, Norma Rodriguez, disappeared Oct. 15 while waiting for a friend at the housing project where she and Adams lived. Her body was found a short while later near a 15th-floor elevator door.

Rik Smits hasn't recovered from Sept. 8 foot surgery and Indiana Pacers coach Larry Brown isn't counting on having the 7-foot-4 center available to start the season.

BASEBALL

The Cincinnati Reds have finally resumed paying rent at the public stadium where they play their home games. However, the National League is irked that owner Marge Schott hasn't approved her team's 1997 budget yet.

NL president Leonard Coleman has told Schott to approve a 1997 budget for her team, or he will do it for her, the Dayton Daily News reported.

Schott, telephoned at her home for a response, said: ``I don't know what you're talking about.''

As much as he loves college baseball and coaching, Gary Ward's back won't let him. Ward resigned after 19 years at Oklahoma State, saying his ailing back had become too much of a burden.

ETC.

The NCAA announced that it has put Texas Southern on probation for five years for academic and ethics violations, primarily in its track and field and cross country programs. . . .

Julio Cesar Chavez, pointing toward a rematch with Oscar De La Hoya, will fight journeyman Mickey Ward in a tuneup Dec. 6 in Reno. . . .

Walter Ray Williams Jr., 37, all but wrapped up PBA player of the year honors by winning the 1996 Rochester (N.Y.) Open. Williams beat Pete Weber 232-223 in the championship match to earn his fourth title of the year and second in as many years at Rochester. . . .

In Mexico City, France's Jeannie Longo broke off an attempt to break the women's one-hour cycling world record because of high winds in Mexico City. She plans to try again this weekend.

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Photo

Photo: Germany's Boris Becker prepares to hit a backhand du ring his straight-sets victory over Greg Rusedski.

Associated Press