Agassi holds off dangerous Escude
Friday, 17 January, 2003
by Scott Spits and Barry Levinson
Andre Agassi was severely tested by Frenchman Nicolas
Escude at Rod Laver Arena but the world No.2 triumphed
in a high-standard four-set clash that highlighted a
memorable Day Five of men's
action.
Later, No.4 seed Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero survived
a gruelling five-set clash against unpredictable
Frenchman Fabrice Santoro.
On Centre Court, Agassi clinched the first set 6-2
but Escude - the No.29 seed - took the match right
to the American, winning the second set 6-3 and
almost doing the same in the third.
The seventh game of the third set proved crucial,
with Escude failed to capitalise on several
break-point chances.
"It's one of those where you live by the sword and
you die by the sword. He plays dangerously, risky,"
Agassi said of the Frenchman's aggressive playing-style.
"He's going to hit his shots and he's going to miss
them. You just hope that he doesn't make them at the
most important times and you hope that you step up and
take control when you have to. I played the big points
as well as I could have hoped today."
That he did. Agassi being the incredibly tough opponent
that he is proved too great a hurdle for the dangerous
Frenchman.
In other men's results, while Ferrero survived another
Spanish seed went down at Australian Open 2003 with
French Open champion Albert Costa (No.8) succumbing to
countryman Felix Mantilla in a five-set beauty.
Ferrero's showdown with Santoro turned out to be a
must-watch marathon clash lasting more than three-and-a-half
hours on Vodafone Arena. A clearly-exhausted Santoro was
simply outlasted by the nimble Spaniard. (唔體力還是有差)
Earlier on Friday, French No.12 seed Sebastien Grosjean
has sent a strong warning to the bottom half of the men's
draw with a powerful performance against No.24 seed Nicolas
Lapentti on Day Five at Australian Open 2003.
Grosjean marched his way into the fourth-round in emphatic
style 6-1, 6-3, 6-3, despite Lapentti being widely expected
to provide stiff opposition.
Lapentti was in good form heading into this match, but the
Frenchman barely gave him a look-in and now plays Mantilla
in the round of 16.
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