Agassi outlasts Baghdatis

NEW YORK -- He took the shot willingly because, he knew, that was his only chance.

And as much as Andre Agassi yearns to be with his wife, with his children, with his philanthropies and beneficiaries, he yearns to continue in this US Open more. He wants one last run, one last chance, one last brush with the greatness that has followed (and challenged) him through more than two decades of sometimes sophomoric, sometimes scintillating tennis.

Prolonging his career two more days, one more match, with that shot of cortisone between his first- and second-round matches, the only thing that could stop the pain, and placing him in line for the match that seems inevitable, Agassi fought his way through the path of eighth-seeded Marcos Baghdatis in Arthur Ashe Stadium last night, through the Cypriot at whose hands many thought Agassi's career would end.

It took five sets, 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 7-5, and 3 hours 48 minutes, in a match Agassi seemed to have won midway through the third. It was his, because he would not let it be Baghdatis's.

Because his will was stronger than that of Baghdatis. Because his back, cortisone shot and all, was stronger than the wrist and the strained and cramping thighs of Baghdatis. Because this was always his match. No matter how long it took, it was going to be his.

``It's difficult now for so many reasons," said Agassi. ``It's also more inspiring now for so many reasons. My whole career I've been striving to achieve things I never believed I could do. I'm here now just taking it all in. That feels really special to me, and really worth it."

With Baghdatis barely able to walk -- his right thigh faltering after an impressive forehand crosscourt winner to bring the ninth game of the fifth set to deuce -- he painfully and deliberately gave Agassi all and more than he had. Eight times it went to deuce. Four times he held break point. And many times it looked as if Baghdatis would not be able to continue.

Barely able to limp around the court between points, Baghdatis could do no more than lose.

``I just wanted to fight," said Baghdatis, who had the trainer attend to his cramps after the first game of the fifth set. ``I'm playing Andre on center court of Arthur Ashe.

``I'll do anything to win. That's all. That's what I did."

So, with just 112th-ranked Benjamin Becker in his way following some anti-inflammatories for his back (and 26th-ranked Fernando Verdasco in the way of Andy Roddick), the supposed past and present of American tennis could meet in the fourth round. Agassi against Roddick. Like his match with James Blake in the quarterfinals of last year's Open, that could be one for the annals.

With Agassi's first serve suffering from inaccuracy, Baghdatis forced him to hold in the eighth game of the first set, with Agassi already up a break. Baghdatis, with power in his strokes, got the game to a second deuce. But it was then, in a lengthy and impressive point, that Baghdatis slipped on the court, going down hard on his left wrist.

He bounced up, barely having touched the ground, quickly enough to get to the net for a winner and an advantage.

That was almost it, the injury shorting out his game, accuracy, and balance, helping put Agassi up two quick sets.

They thought it was done, then. Everyone did. Andre Agassi -- their Andre -- couldn't lose to this upstart player, this 21-year-old who was just a year old when Agassi made his Flushing Meadows debut in 1986.

Baghdatis, clearly the favorite, if there can be a favorite against Agassi in Ashe Stadium, lost the considerable speed and strength behind his game for the next set. His strokes went awry -- 86 unforced errors (and 83 winners) -- and so did his game, until he regained his power for a two-set comeback that forced a deciding set.

Agassi, meanwhile, played the prototypical Agassi game, his strokes clean and efficient, his movements contained, his energy conserved. After Agassi went up two breaks, it seemed the third set would be a formality, until Baghdatis rode his power (23 aces) and his volleys to a resurgence, making the 36-year-old Agassi look old.

With Agassi up a break in the second set and Baghdatis serving one point into the ninth game of the set, the crowd wouldn't quiet down, the screams of Agassi's name and cheers and applause continuing, no matter how many times warned by the chair umpire. The excess energy flew out of the crowd in a most unusual moment. The wave. Twice around the Stadium it went, an odd ode at a tennis match of this drama and this magnitude.

So now, after a match they never expected, marked by a will and determination they always expected, they will get Agassi again. Maybe for the last time.

`` I've lived a dream for 21 years," Agassi said. `` It's going to be impossible for me to be disappointed with a result when you have that sort of support and feeling out there. This is why I chose here."