US Open Thriller

If the most compelling thing you watched on television last night was the Big Brother double eviction... well, you missed something special...

The "you just can't make this stuff up" 2nd round US Open match between Andre Agassi and Marcos Baghdatis

Pictured: Jaden Agassi, wife Steffi Graf... Agassi and Baghdatis

As you may (or may not) know, after 20+ years in the game 36-year old Andre Agassi is retiring from tennis after the Open... so every match could be "it."   Andre was seriously tested in his first round match vs. Andrei Pavel... so much so, that he had to receive a cortisone shot in his bad back just to be able to continue on.

So last night, the signs were not looking good for Agassi as he faced the 8th ranked player in the world Marcos Baghdatis... a 21-year old charismatic shotmaker from Cyprus.

But perhaps thrown off by the highly partisan crowd, Baghdatis lost the first two sets 6-4, 6-4... he bounced back and won the 3rd set 6-3... but fell to a usually insurmountable 4-0 deficit in the 4th... it seemed as Andre's final US Open run would continue in fairly short fashion.  However, the night was only just beginning.

Baghdatis would rail off the the next 4 games to even the set at 4-4... and break Andre's serve to take the set 7-5... the match would go the distance.  It seemed as if Agassi's fortunes would be reversed from last year's Open where in the "match of the tournament" he defeated fellow American James Blake after dropping the first two sets.

Baghdatis broke Agassi's serve in the very first game of the 5th set... Agassi clearly looked dejected, but with the momentum in hand... Baghdatis stopped play to receive treatment for a left thigh sprain.  The Cypriot would spend a good portion of the final set reeling in pain, often dropping to the court, as both of his legs cramped up... it was truly painful to watch... but still amazing the 36-year old had worn down the 21-year old.  Agassi would hold on to his serve in a marathon game... and with his legs weakened Baghdatis would lose his serve ... giving Agassi the 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 7-5 victory.   Although terribly cliche, the match which ended just past 12:30 am ... was "one for the ages."

Now, I wasn't thrilled about the crowd.  I know Agassi was the sentimental favorite but cheering Baghdatis' serve faults... or boo-ing when he questioned calls, showed any signs of positive body language, and even when he was writhing on the court in pain was more than unnecessary.  Baghdatis said after the match "I wanted to just die on the court. I wanted to do anything to win"... and you just have to respect that kind of heart.  But the crowd did lighten up... with Agassi safe... they gave Baghdatis a rousing ovation during his gracious on-court interview and exit from the court.

Agassi next faces B. Becker from Germany... not Boris, but an unheralded 25-year old Benjamin. Agassi will be the overwhelming favorite in this match... but you just never know, it is hard to know how much Andre will have left in the tank after these first two matches.  However, if he gets through that one... it would most likely be a tantalizing 4th rounder vs. Andy Roddick.

tags:  andre agassi, marcos baghdatis

Comments

[DeAnn]

Can I just say that I CANNOT believe Andre's son is that big?!

[Wes]

Hey hey...

Faithful W & C reader for nearly a year now...first time commenter.

Andre's given great performances so far, but I'm worried if he'll have enough left in the tank to pull it out. It's a long road to next Sunday. In 02, when Pete did it, he won five matches in the second week, so maybe AA can do it too.

BTW, love the blog...something for everybody...keep it up!

Wes

[DeAnn]

I'm sad he's done, but at least he went out with grace.