As an American playing in New York on 9/11, Andre Agassi received an
overwhelming majority of support from the 24,797 fans on hand for the US Open
men's final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Unfortunately for the 35-year-old, that could not carry him past the
remarkable Roger Federer.
The world number one and top seed from Switzerland, Federer became the first
man in the Open Era to win Wimbledon and the US Open back-to-back in consecutive
years with a tough 6-3 2-6 7-6 (7/1) 6-1 triumph over the seventh-seeded Agassi
at the National Tennis Center.
The defeat ended a remarkable run for Agassi, arguably the most memorable here
since Jimmy Connors stormed to the semi-finals as a 39-year-old in 1991. He was
the oldest Grand Slam finalist since 39-year-old Ken Rosewall was routed by a
22-year-old Connors in the 1974 US Open final.
"Over the last 20 years I have come full circle," Agassi said. "It has been
an amazing journey and discovery of each other as I have grown up out here. To
be here at an age where I can take in that sort of love and be at an age where I
can embrace it is a tremendous feeling. I will never forget this."
Neither will Federer, who grasped the historic nature of Agassi's Grand Slam
run, perhaps the final one of a Hall of Fame career.
"I just to have to congratulate Andre," Federer said during the trophy
presentation. "I hope you keep on playing so we can have some more memorable
matches."
Agassi, who was every bit the 24-year-old's equal for nearly three sets, was
effusive in his praise of his opponent, who improved to an amazing 145-9 with
five Grand Slams since the start of 2004, including 71-3 this year.
"He's the best I have ever played against," Agassi said definitively of
Federer, who improved to 6-0 in Grand Slam finals and extended his ATP
Tour-record streak of finals won to 23.
"I am amazed myself that I can back it up one tournament after another,"
Federer said. "I wonder why I always play so well, especially on the big
occasions."
Federer displayed some of his singular greatness with Agassi about to seize
control of the match. After taking the first set, Federer was broken twice in
the second as Agassi levelled the match, and the American again broke for a 4-2
third-set lead.
But Federer immediately broke back, and though he blew four break points at
5-5, he played a brilliant tiebreaker. After Agassi won the opening point, the
top seed reeled off seven straight points, claiming the set with a backhand
winner down the line off the American's serve.
"It was the first time (during the tournament) I really felt like I could use
all my shots," said Federer, who fired 69 winners, 35 more than Agassi. "I
didn't feel that way until the final."
Federer carried his momentum into the final set, breaking Agassi in the second
and fourth games. He failed to convert two championship points on Agassi's serve
in the sixth game, but it was a mere hiccup as he served out the match at love
when Agassi sent a backhand return way long.
"That fourth set getting away was really just a testament to his standard and
how he can raise his game, and why you can't give him the lead," Agassi said.
"All the great players, you can't give them a lead - they stretch a match open
quickly. And he's definitely one of those."
As the ball sailed past him, Federer yelled, jumped in the air and swung his
arms - racquet in right hand - in one motion, then exchanged a warm greeting
with Agassi at the net.
It was the record 35th consecutive hardcourt victory for Federer, breaking by
one a mark twice attained by American Pete Sampras, who retired soon after
winning his record 14th Grand Slam title here three years ago.
"Pete was great, no question," Agassi said. "But there was a place to get
to with Pete, you know what you had to do. If you do it, it could be on your
terms. There's no such place like that with Roger. I think he's the best I have
played against."
Federer beat Agassi for the eighth straight time. He needed five sets to
dispatch the American in last year's quarter-finals but did not drop a set in
three previous encounters this season, including the Australian Open quarters.
"Something needs to be off, one way or another," Agassi said. "You need to
play the craziest tennis you have ever played or he needs to be doing something
off because you have to do it for such a long period of time. And while I
believe I can do that, you have always got to look at it for what it is and you
say, 'This guy's won that many finals for a reason'. I mean, that stat alone is
pretty crazy."
The 1994 and 1999 champion who slipped to 8-7 in major finals, Agassi missed
two months this summer with sciatic nerve pain and had needed five sets to win
his last three matches, including Saturday's semi-final with fellow American
Robby Ginepri.
But he did not look tired barely 24 hours later, and though disappointed about
the loss, he would not announce he was hanging up his racquet.
"Well, I'm unsure about what I'm going to do in a month, let alone a year
from now," Agassi said. "But as of now, my intention is to keep working and
keep doing what it is I do."
Unfortunately for Agassi - and everybody else on tour - nobody these days does
it nearly as well as Federer.
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