Agassi Closes On Fourth Title - 網球

AUSTRALIAN OPEN Jan. 19, 2003

Agassi Closes On Fourth Title
Seven-time Grand Slam champion breezes into quarters


Andre Agassi continues to close on a possible dream final with top seed
Lleyton Hewitt after winning through to the quarterfinals of the Australian
Open Sunday. Agassi was handed an easy passage to the last eight when opponent
Guillermo Coria retired with a foot injury when Agassi was leading 6-1, 3-1.
Agassi, the back-to-back champion in 2000 and 2001, won his 18th consecut
ive match at Melbourne Park. (He missed the tournament last year due to a wrist
injury.) Agassi is seeking his fourth Australian Open crown and his eighth
career Grand Slam title.
With Australian fans hoping for a 1-2 Hewitt/Agassi final, Agassi was
asked about the prospects of playing Hewitt, whom he beat in last year's US
Open semifinals.
"I suppose it would be great for tennis, particularly down here. It's
always a dynamic atmosphere to play an Australian here .. there's that extra
spice added to it.
"Lleyton brings out your best because you have to be at your best to win.
[But tipping a Hewitt-Agassi final] is making the great assumption that I'll
get by my next two matches. I'll sign up for that right now."

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