Has anyone been following Andre Agassi's progress here ?
He had a stunning 7-6[10], 6-0 win over Xavier Malisse in rd1 in 110 degree heat, serving 18 aces [!] in the process. In rd2 he beat Bastl 6-7, 6-2, 6-1 after a scrappy start. Agassi said "As the match went on, I picked up my level and I'm feeling good about the way I'm moving," he said after hitting 18 aces and winning nine games in a row to seal the win.
"I felt myself playing at a much better level than I have for several months, probably since last year's US Open."
Next up in tomorrow's quarters is an intriguing match with Fernando Gonzalez who thrashed Safin 2 and 4 in rd2. Agassi and Gonzo have played once before, in Washington 2003 when Gonzo won 3-6, 6-4, 7-6.
The fast-improving Sam Querrey plays Dmitry Tursunov tonight, I reckon that Tursunov may have just too much power for Querrey on his fav surface. Can't anyone than Roddick [who's being watched here by Jimmy Connors] coming through that section though.
The bottom section is wide open after Hewitt's shock loss to Paul Goldstein. I reckon that Tommy Haas will beat Goldstein in the quarters though and my money's on him to reach the final
My prediction of Tommy Haas reaching the final proved correct, he beat Dmitry Tursunov 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 firing 12 aces in the process. This is his 10th ATP title, his 3rd this year and his 2nd Los Angeles win. I predict Tommy to be one of the major dark horses in New York and Melbourne where the courts are tailor-made for his power-hitting baseline game.
Tursunov got a bit lucky as Andy Roddick was forced to withdraw before their quarter-final with a side strain. He produced some classy tennis though in the semis beating Gonzo.
Gonzo beat Agassi in the quarters in 3 sets, it was a gruelling match in temperatures of 43 degrees. Agassi paid for missing break points in the 9th game of the 3rd set. He saved 3 match points in the very next game but was unable to do anything about Gonzo's power play in the 12th game which clinched the match.
Afterwards Agassi said "It is a disappointing loss for me. Fernando changes the pace well and mixes up his serve a lot. I hung in there. I just wasn't getting enough looks on points on his serve."
