US Open

The forecast for the next ten days looks pretty dim. This could be a very long tournament for them. Stop-and-start playing is very draining - and almost impossible to maintain any kind of momentum through.

last night Agassi showed he still has what it takes.

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Andre is beloved... you should have seen the Pub last night.

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I pretty much grew up as an Agassi fan and after watching him since he was 17, I get all teary eyed just watching any feature story about him retiring, knowing that it'll be an end of an era soon.

I don't want to miss a second of his final matches.

WOW!!! Unbelievable.

And vb, that thought crossed my mind. I think McEnroe sort of tried to make that point when he said they'd have to ask the trainer how he got rid of major cramping in 7 minutes.

BUT, one should NEVER try to break Andre's concentration - it rarely, RARELY pays off.

What a match - what a crowd!

I love this game

YWIW - I actually wish more energy were put into competition that amounted to more of a love fest like that - as opposed to the attempts at domination that result in death and destruction.

I can't wait for the next 4 days...no work tomorrow or Monday. US Open, US Open, US Open. I need to get out more.

Next year, I am planning on actually going to the US Open!

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DG. I was in London many years ago and it was during Wimbledon. I didn't realize it at the time! And I am kicking myself to this day. So close and I missed it.

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AGASSI CAREER FACTS

The only man in tennis history to win all four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal.

One of five players (Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson) to win all four Grand Slam titles during his career.

One of three players (Rod Laver, Roger Federer) in the Open Era (since 196 to reach four consecutive Grand Slam finals (won French Open, reached Wimbledon final and won U.S. Open in 1999, won Australian Open in 2000).

Played in the most Grand Slam tournaments (61, including the U.S. Open) in the Open Era (since 196. Stands No. 2 in career Grand Slam match wins (224) behind Jimmy Connors (233).

Only player in the Open Era to win at least one ATP title for 18 years.

Appeared in 90 career finals (60-30) between 1987-2005 (except 1997) and 15 Grand Slam finals (8-7). He reached the championship at least twice in all four Grand Slam tournaments.

One of 11 players to win at least eight Grand Slam titles:
Pete Sampras 14
Roy Emerson 12
Bjorn Borg 11
Rod Laver 11
Bill Tilden 10
Andre Agassi 8
Jimmy Connors 8
Roger Federer 8 *
Ivan Lendl 8
Fred Perry 8
Ken Rosewall 8

Winner of an all-time-best 17 career ATP Masters Series titles (since 1990), capturing seven (of nine) different tournament titles.

Agassi's 60 career titles place him seventh in the Open Era:
1. Jimmy Connors 109
2. Ivan Lendl 94
3. John McEnroe 77
4. Pete Sampras 64
5. Bjorn Borg 62
Guillermo Vilas 62
7. Andre Agassi 60

* I just want to point out that Roger will be the only active player on that list when this tournament is complete - and he just turned 25 on August 8th.

Updated On: 9/1/06 at 04:42 AM

Petra - I agree! Isn't it great? Absolute storybook time. But we really shouldn't expect anything less from one of the greatest players ever. As he said, there are no guarantees, but I would always put my money on the side of him giving his all. And he's such a nice and gentle man - he deserves this fabulous curtain call.

I agree that Baghdatis was, if not faking, at least exaggerating his injuries. Agassi was KILLING him with drop shots; in addition to the distraction, Agassi didn't attempt a drop shot for over two games after the 'cramping' began. He only tried one after Baghdatis had used a drop shot on him.

Andre needs to keep his focus and not overlook his next opponent, Benjamin Becker of Germany (no relation). If he does, it may set up a 4th rounf match with Roddick.

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javero - I think that's why he is so beloved. We've been able to watch him make that journey. My experience with him is virtually identical to yours - I never have resonated with the ill-mannered ones.