[Online Exclusive]: Agassi stays alive in Countrywide Classic

Also see the Daily Bruin’s photo essay
from Day 2 and 3 at the 2006 Countrywide Classic
, as well as
a
video wrap from Agassi’s match with Bastl.
The
Countrywide Classic at UCLA this week was supposed to be Andre
Agassi’s swan song. Fans are taking every chance to snap a
photo of the retiring American great, and give him standing
ovations for nearly every great point he plays. The only thing
everyone forgot on Wednesday was that Agassi actually had to play a
match and win. With the sellout crowd of 7,021 buzzing in the Los
Angeles Tennis Center, Agassi struggled in the first set against
qualifier George Bastl, and lost 6-7 in a tiebreaker (4-7). He soon
regained his rhythm, however, and soundly beat the Swiss native in
the next two sets 6-2, 6-1. “The crowd made me a little
nervous,” Agassi said jokingly. “But, honestly, it was
great to just be out there playing great tennis again.”
Agassi, who is 36 and clearly the fan favorite of the tournament,
was having trouble keeping up with the aggressiveness of Bastl (a
USC alumnus), who is 25, in the first set. Agassi fell behind 4-3,
rebounded to break Bastl’s serve to give him a 5-4 lead, but
lost the next two sets and lost the tiebreaker 7-6. “I had a
little trouble getting used to (Bastl’s) game in the
beginning,” said Agassi, who had never faced Bastl before.
“But I got more comfortable as the match went on, and I was
fine from there.” Agassi finished the match with an abundance
of aces, and winners that are usually not the norm for the veteran
known for his control of the baselines. But Agassi felt that with
the aggressiveness Bastl was showing, he needed to change up his
game. “I don’t think I have played like that in a long
time,” Agassi said. “But I’m in good shape, and
I’m feeling good, so I started playing more
aggressive.” The move certainly paid off for Agassi, but now
he moves on to face No. 3 seeded Fernando Gonzalez of Chile on
Friday. Gonzalez advanced to the third round earlier on Wednesday
by defeating Marat Safin of Russia 6-4, 6-2. Agassi certainly
wasn’t looking forward to facing Gonzalez, but said he is up
for the challenge. “He is a lot like Bastl in that he takes a
lot of chances, and is aggressive,” Agassi said. “He
certainly does not let you get in a rhythm.” If Wednesday was
any indication, Agassi will certainly put on a good showing.

Wednesday’s Results: In other action on
Wednesday, No. 1 seed Andy Roddick continued on his comeback trail
by defeating Rik de Voest of South Africa 6-4, 6-4. American Paul
Goldstein also advanced by defeating Igor Kunitsyn of Russia 6-4,
6-4. The final winner on Wednesday was German Tommy Haas, who
defeated Paul Capdeville of Chile in three sets 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.

Thursday’s Singles Schedule: Noon: No. 7
seed Dominick Hrbaty v. Lars Burgsmuller 30 minutes following: (WC)
Sam Querrey v. No. 8 Dmitry Tursunov 30 minutes following: No. 4
Robby Ginepri v. Kenneth Carlsen 7:30 p.m.: No. 1 Andy Roddick v.
(WC) Scott Oudsem

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