Andre Agassi's five-set victory over James Blake proves he still has some magic left in the tank, and may have helped saved CBS's bacon. The match, which alteranted between sloppy and brilliant, was played a breakneck speed, with players rushing their serves. Blake was up two sets before anyone had gotten into the match, and although Agassi deserves credit for his dramatic comeback, Blake let him off the hook. At one point, Blake served up a break in the third set, and at another, he served for the match in the fifth. But Agassi, like so many times in his career, did not give in.
The match highlights the unique stage that is a US Open night match. Rowdy New York fans cheer faults, boo line calls and do the wave to show their appreciation. With two Americans on court last night, the crowd held little back. Even tennis purists had to admit the atmosphere added something to the match that, until the fifth set, was carried by its drama instead of its shotmaking. Agassi advances to an all-US semifinal on Saturday against Robby Ginepry, and the thought of his playing Roger Federer (who plays in the quarterfinals today) in the final on Sunday has CBS executives salivating.
Photo by AP/Gregory Bull via ESPN
