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'Really tough fight' Chang claws into Paris Open semis; Agassi rolls
Posted: Friday November 05, 1999 05:17 PM
PARIS (AP) -- Andre Agassi's famed service return snuffed out Mark Philippoussis on Friday as the world No. 1 marched to the semifinals of the Paris Open. Agassi, in superb form, beat the big-serving Australian 6-4, 6-1, in just 65 minutes. Philippoussis, a former U.S. Open runner-up, thundered a series of 124 mph plus services, several of them aces. But Agassi was ruthless on the Australian's second service, dominating rallies and finding some incredible angles to move his big opponent around the court. And it was Agassi's service that dominated: the American lost just seven points in his nine service games. "The first break was important because he got a bit discouraged in the second set," Agassi said. "Mark isn't so comfortable in defense," Agassi said. "When the ball is in play he goes for offense but I worked the play well today." Agassi also said that his game was helped because the balls used in Paris are slightly heavier than average. "Against a big hitter it is a nice luxury to have a bit more time. Also when you get a racket on the ball you don't lose control as easily, and that helped me control the pace today." The first crucial break came with Philippoussis serving to save the first set. At 0-15, Agassi was yards behind the baseline but stretched to make a brilliant forehand that Philippoussis could only put into the net. Philippoussis double-faulted to make it 0-40, and though he saved one match point he immediately double-faulted again to hand the set to Agassi. Brimming with confidence, the world No. 1 raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set before easily taking the match. Agassi faces 11th-seeded Nicolas Lapentti in the semis. In a close match between two of the rising young stars of tennis, the Ecaudorian beat Germany's Tommy Haas 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. In earlier play, Michael Chang saved a match point for the second time in the tournament before battling to his first Super 9 semifinal of the year with a rousing 5-7, 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, win against Cedric Pioline. "It was a really tough fight and just came down to two or three points at the end," said Chang, who was also one point away from losing to Ivan Ljubicic in qualifying. The American, ranked 72, is having his worst year since breaking onto the circuit a decade ago, having failed to make a final all season. But he matched the French No. 1 shot for shot as both players settled into a patient, baseline game. After the 15th-seeded Pioline took the first set, both players created then spurned chances to take the second. Serving at 3-4, Pioline volleyed weakly into the net at 30-30. On the next point his volley was far too short and Chang coolly lobbed a winner. But the American failed to hold service at 5-3, seeing an incredible backhand from Pioline whistle past him and hit the line at 30-40. With Pioline serving at 5-6, Chang failed to take advantage of a set point and had to settle for the tiebreak. In the deciding game, Pioline fought back from 1-4 to 6-5, but on match point completely miscued a backhand, Chang clinching the tiebreak with a blistering forehand return. In the deciding set, Chang -- who has reached the semifinals of the Paris Open twice, beating Pioline on his way to the last four in 1994 -- hit yet another forehand winner to break Pioline's service and gain a 5-4 lead. Pioline, on his best ever run at the Paris Open, saved two match points in the next game before finally succumbing. "I simply didn't play well enough when I had the opportunity to make a difference," Pioline said. "I should have been more rigorous, especially in my positioning, to avoid making mistakes." Chang, who had to qualify for an ATP event for the first time in 11 years to earn a place at the Paris Open, was ranked in the top 10 for six consecutive years before falling out of the top 20 last year. His win in Paris was his first success against a top 20 player this year. "Since my injuries last year it has been really tough to get my game back," he said. "Attitude plays a big role and I have been more relaxed over the last month."
In Saturday's semifinals Chang plays Russian teenager Marat Safin, who ovepowered Jim Courier, 6-2, 6-4.
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