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Tough times ahead Agassi wins to set up match with Philippoussis
Posted: Friday January 21, 2000 11:24 AM
MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) -- Top seed Andre Agassi cruised into the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday at the expense of Argentina's Mariano Zabaleta but is likely to face a tougher assignment next up against big-hitting Australian Mark Philippoussis. Agassi, in contrast to long-time rival Pete Sampras's tough five-set win earlier in the day, routed Zabaleta 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, completing the center court victory with an ace in one hour and 35 minutes. The reigning French and U.S. Open champion next faces a showdown with the 16th seed and hometown hero Philippoussis. "You never want a match like that this early in the tournament," Agassi said of his impending clash with the former U.S. Open finalist. "I played well today but I expect I will have to do some special things on Sunday." The 29-year-old Agassi, with girlfriend and former women's world No. 1 Steffi Graf watching in the stands, is chasing a second Australian Open title. He won the 1995 Open in his first appearance at the year-opening Grand Slam tournament. Zabaleta, ranked number 28 at the end of last year and playing in his second Australian Open, had no answer to Agassi's penetrating power and his lethal return of serve. After taking the first two sets, Agassi broke the 21-year-old Argentine in the opening game of the third and then raced away to post his third straight-sets win in a row. As with Philippoussis, Agassi's match was staged with the retractable center court closed because of rain earlier in the day. Philippoussis found the conditions ideal for his big-hitting game as he scored a 6-4, 7-6, 6-1 third-round win over compatriot Andrew Ilie, a point not lost on Agassi. He is hoping Melbourne turns on one of its notorious hot and windy summer days for Sunday's game. "I played Mark twice indoors last year and I tell you when the elements are not a factor he's one of the biggest and cleanest hitters out there, especially indoors when the conditions are comfortable," said Agassi. "I'd like it to be 43 degrees and extremely windy." Agassi leads 2-1 in career meetings with the 23-year-old Philippoussis, with both wins coming last year.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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