[Siebel Open]Agassi Rallies to Remain Undefeated
Top seed Andre Agassi rallied to beat Vladimir Voltchkov 6-7(3), 7-6(6), 6-1,
in two hours and 29 minutes, saving one match point in the second set
tie-break. Agassi trailed 5-6 in the tie-break before he won the last three
points to even the match. In the third set, Voltchkov tired in the final set
as Agassi broke the Belarussian three times. "He played a high standard for
three sets and I only played for two sets," said Voltchkov. "I played decent
tennis and it came down to endurance. He was stronger than me." Agassi
improved to 10-0 on the season for the second time in three years and he
lost a set for only the second time (27 of 29). Voltchkov fired 20 aces and
he saved 12 of 16 break points while Agassi hit 13 aces and saved seven of
eight break points.
No. 3 seed James Blake advanced to his first ATP semifinal of the season with
a 7-5, 6-2 victory over No. 7 Nikolay Davydenko. Davydenko served for the
first set at 5-4 before Blake won the last three games. The American broke
early in the second set at 2-0 and he never looked back in the match. Blake
goes into the semifinals without dropping a set this week.
No. 6 Davide Sanguinetti of Italy needed only 63 minutes to reach his first
semifinal in San Jose with a 6-1, 7-5 victory over Vincent Spadea. Sanguinetti
hit seven aces and reeled off six straight games in the first set. Spadea led
5-3 in the second set before Sanguinetti won the last four games to advance
to his first ATP semifinal of the season. On Saturday, the 30-year-old will
attempt to become the first Italian to reach the Siebel Open final since
Renzo Furlan won the title in 1994.
Justin Gimelstob advanced to his first ATP semifinal since July 2000 in Los
Angeles as he defeated No. 8 seed Kenneth Carlsen 6-3, 6-4. The 26-year-old
New Jersey native, who broke back into the Top 100 one week ago after a
two-year absence, is attempting to reach his first career ATP final.
Gimelstob, who has yet to drop a set this week, will be playing in his
fourth career ATP semifinal.
WHAT THE SEMIFINALISTS SAID
Agassi: "It was a high standard match and you want to see him earn it toward
the end. I felt good out there and if he was going to win, I was going to
make him play another hour. It's nice to play a competitive match like that
and that's what makes playing fun. It's memories of a lifetime. I didn't have
a whole lot of options and I just tried to keep up the high standard of play."
Blake: "He's (Agassi) obviously playing better than anyone in the world right
now and I have nothing to lose. I'm really looking forward to playing Andre
and it should be fun."
Sanguinetti: "I'm pretty confident right now and I'm moving really well.
Every time I walk on the court I feel like I can win. I'm serving very well
and moving my opponent around the court. On playing Gimelstob: "He's a good
serve-and-volleyer and a really good competitor. We both came from UCLA and
it will be fun to play him. It would be like a challenge match in college."
Gimelstob: "My attitude is much more relaxed and I'm serving better. My coach
(Mike DePalmer) and I worked on my serve during the off-season. I'm more
relaxed and I'm dealing with my emotions much better. This is my first ATP
semifinal in a long time and I wanted to close it out. It's such a relief to
win the match." On playing Sanguinetti: "He's definitely the favorite and I'll
have my work cut out. I'm looking forward to it and should be a fight."
SEMIFINALS PREVIEW
(6) Davide Sanguinetti vs. Justin Gimelstob Sanguinetti Leads 2-0
Sanguinetti Quick Facts
Tournament Highlights: Comes into San Jose with a 4-2 career record and lost
to Kratochvil in the opening round two years ago and lost to Roddick in three
sets in the 2nd RD last year...The only player remaining in both singles and
doubles (w/Jim Thomas)...After his singles match, will take on
Goldstein-Kendrick in semifinals.
2003 in Review: After an 0-2 start, the No. 1 Italian advanced to quarterfinals
in Milan where he won his first career ATP title last year (l. to Verkerk)...
Lost to Sluiter in Auckland and Kratochvil at the Australian Open.
Miscellaneous: Played collegiately at UCLA for two years from 1992-93 and
advanced to semifinals in '93...Earned All-American honors...Idols growing
up were Miloslav Mecir and countryman Paolo Cane...Used to tape Mecir's
matches... Became a father for the first time on Aug. 10, 2002 with the
birth of his daughter, Alice...Here with coach Roberto Brogin.
Gimelstob Quick Facts
Tournament Highlights: Enters his first career semifinal in San Jose with
a 9-7 mark...Has played the Bay Area tournament eight straight years and
his previous best finish was the quarterfinals in 1999-2000 (l. to
Philippoussis both times)...Lost to Sanguinetti last year in the opening
round.
2003 in Review: Came into the tournament with an 0-2 match record on the
season before winning three matches here this week without dropping a set...
This is his fourth career ATP semifinal, the first since Los Angeles in July
2000...Prior to here, lost in the final at the Dallas Challenger on Feb. 2,
losing to German Simon Greul...Opened the campaign with first round losses
in Chennai (l. to Kucera) and the Australian Open (retired in fourth set due
to cramps vs. El Aynaoui after winning first two sets).
Miscellaneous: Played collegiately at UCLA for one season in 1995-96 before
turning pro...He helped the Bruins to the NCAA team final (l. to Stanford)
in '96...He finished as the No. 2 collegiate player in the country (behind
Cecil Mamiit)...Here with coach Mike DePalmer.
(1) Andre Agassi vs. (3) James Blake Tied 1-1
Agassi Quick Facts
Tournament Highlights: Enters the semifinals with a 42-6 career record in
the Bay Area...Saved a match point (in QF Friday) for first time in
tournament...Has won this title four times in 10 previous appearances
(1990, 1993, 1995, and 1998) and has lost in the final three times (1996,
2001-2002)...This marks his 10th semifinal appearance in 11 Bay Area outings
(7-2 in SF matches).
2003 Highlights: Opened the season by winning his eighth career Grand Slam
title at the Australian Open and enters the semifinals with a 10-0 match
record on the season for the second time in three years...It was his fourth
career title Down Under...Only dropped one set during Australian run and has
won 27 of 29 sets this year.
Miscellaneous: Attempting to win his 56th career title and 11th over the age
of 30...Last year he was the oldest player to finish in the Top 3 since Jimmy
Connors in 1984...Here with second-year coach Darren Cahill, fitness trainer
Gil Reyes, wife Stefanie Graf and son Jaden Gil.
Blake Quick Facts
Tournament Highlights: Appearing in his first San Jose semifinal after a
previous best quarterfinal last year (l. to Roddick)...Has a 5-2 career mark
in the Bay Area.
2003 Highlights: Has a 7-3 record on the season...Opened with a 1st RD loss
to Moya in Sydney and the 4th RD at the Australian Open (l. to Schuettler)...
Last weekend, split two matches in Davis Cup tie in Croatia, defeating Mario
Ancic in straight sets before losing to Ivan Ljubicic in fourth rubber.
Miscellaneous: In November 2002 People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive issue,
was named Sexiest Athlete...Here with long-time coach Brian Barker (since age
12).
--
Davy，下次再加油><！
--
我是一隻小火雞，
快樂的生活在沙皇的農城裡~~
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.csie.ntu.edu.tw)
◆ From: 61.225.200.52
ALL-RUSSIANS 近期熱門文章
PTT體育區 即時熱門文章
