Stamford Advocate, CT
Sept 5 2004
[parts omiited]
The U.S. Open script for Andre Agassi has needed no rewrites thus
far.
The No. 6 seed rolled to his third consecutive economical three-set
victory as he vanquished No. 25 seed Jiri Novak of Czech Republic,
6-4, 6-2, 6-3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the National Tennis Center.
“Today was important. Novak requires you to put forth a quality
match,” Agassi said. “I had to make good decisions. I served well. I
feel I’ve turned the corner in my game heading into the second week.
Four more matches going three sets would be great. But I enjoy
getting through the first week uneventfully.”
Agassi’s lone trouble yesterday was keeping his tennis sneakers in
one piece. A handy tube of glue in his bag saved the day.
“I burn a lot of tread out there,” Agassi laughed. “I enjoy a good
broken-in pair of tennis shoes. But sometimes you cross the line on
wear rather than rotate them out.”
While the tennis world has its sights set on a quarterfinal round
meeting with Federer, Agassi only has eyes for Sargis Sargsian of
Armenia and Hamden in Monday’s fourth round.
“I haven’t taken anything or any opponent for granted on the tennis
court since my early 20s,” the 34-year-old Agassi said. “Roger
Federer is a problem to worry about at the proper time.”
Agassi will be getting an exhausted Sargsian, who outfought
Paul-Henri Mathieu through five grueling sets over four hours and 41
minutes last night, 4-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4).
Sargsian made his life much more eventful by cashing in just one of a
possible 10 break points in the fifth set.
“It’s a relief,” said Sargsian of his comeback from two sets down.
“The match was so close. I wanted to win so badly. It’s an amazing
feeling. I feel like I’m in a different world.”
In a marathon that featured 341 total points, Sargsian collected 65
winners to 47 for Mathieu. But he had 69 unforced errors to 56 for
Mathieu.
Sargsian was also a monster at net, successful on 32 of 45 net
approaches (71 percent). To the delight of his Armenian faithful led
by 102-year-old grandfather emeritus Minas Masourian of New Haven.
“He was a tennis champion in Iran and he’s been here every day,”
Sargsian said. “I stayed with his family when I first came to
America.”
In his second round match Thursday, Sargsian outlasted Nicolas Massu
in five sets in a near record-setting five hours and 10 minutes.
And now, he must face fellow Armenian and best friend Andre Agassi.
“I am mentally tired. But I think my legs are going to hang in
there,” said Sargsian. “It’s like a dream to play a legend like Andre
on a court like this. Hopefully it will be a good match and he
doesn’t kill me.
“To me, Andre is like a big brother and unbelievable friend,”
Sargsian continued. “Andre has an amazing heart. And the intensity of
practicing with him is as great as you can find. Andre is my friend
but I want to win. We will both give our best out there.”