CHANG LOOKS FOR UPSWING FIRST-ROUND VICTORY A STEP ON ROAD BACK.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

Michael Chang wasn't so worried about Australian Paul Kilderry, his opening-round opponent in the Mercedes-Benz Cup at UCLA's L.A. Tennis Center on Tuesday. Chang proved that much with a relatively easy 6-4, 6-2 victory.

Chang's other battle - with his own reputation as one of the world's best players - looms larger.

Yes, Chang is seeded fourth in this tournament, and at 28 he's amassed more than $18 million in prize money. But the cold fact is Chang hasn't won a tournament since October 1998, and last year was the first time in his 13-year career he didn't qualify for a final.

So how much does Tuesday's victory against the relatively unarmed Kilderry mean? After all, Kilderry, an unseeded qualifier, entered with an 8-20 career ATP record.

It's a start.

For sure, Chang had spring in his step, and that same tenacity that has always been his calling card in the wake of a shortage of power. Against Kilderry he double-faulted just once, won 61 percent of second-serve points - compared to Kilderry's 34 percent - and saved 8 of 9 break points.

``It's definitely been frustrating and very disappointing and discouraging for me,'' Chang said. ``I've tried my best to fight through these times, and I'm hoping and praying I can pick myself up. I don't know what the future holds, but I feel I'm on the right track. I'm constantly struggling to improve.''

Chang's victory in the first set was decisive but not routine, as an 11-minute opening game - won by Chang - set the tone.

Kilderry then got a bit sloppy and didn't pose a particularly terrific challenge in the first two games of the second set, falling behind 3-0. The last point of the third game was the highlight of the match, a grueling rally that saw both players range from side to side and from baseline to net. It was the kind of rally Chang needed to stay in command, and indeed Tuesday's most important moments belonged to him; he clinched the game with a nifty passing shot as a large, appreciate crowd loudly approved.

Chang did a nice job seizing the early momentum in the second set. Up 4-2, he broke to move ahead 5-2. Kilderry remained game for a bit, cutting the gap to 5-4 by breaking Chang's serve. But Chang avoided a prolonged set by breaking Kilderry's service for the victory.

Last year's first-round loss aside, Chang always has performed well in Los Angeles, winning this tournament in 1996 and appearing in three other finals in 1989, 1990 and 1993. However, after ranking as high as No. 2 in the world, he finished 50th last year.

His decline can be traced back to September 1997, when he lost in straight sets to Patrick Rafter in the U.S. Open semifinals. At the time, Chang was seeded No. 2 and Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi - Chang's measuring sticks - both had been eliminated from the tournament. A knee injury in 1998 didn't help Chang's cause, especially when baseline quickness is his primary asset. In 1999 he failed to win a tournament for the first time in 11 years and didn't make it past the second round of the U.S., French and Australian opens.

Chang entered this tournament with a 23-15 singles record in 2000 - this from a man who was 541-198 from 1984-1998. In the seven tournaments preceding the Mercedes event, Chang failed to advance past the final 32 five times. He appeared to be on a minor upswing - reaching the semifinals June 12 in Halle, Germany, and June 19 in Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands - before falling in the second round at Wimbledon to 114th-ranked Alexander Popp.

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Photo: Camarillo's Bob Bryan returns a shot from Jason Stoltenberg during Stoltenberg's three-set victory Tuesday.

David Crane/Staff Photographer