Associated Press
New York, Sep 4: A career for the ages came to a close when a worn down and wincing Andre Agassi lost to 112th-ranked Benjamin Becker 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-5 in the third round at the US Open on Sunday.
Betrayed by a creaky body that needed four injections this week, Agassi's spirit never waned.
"For me, it was never about winning and stopping," he said. "It was about getting the most out of myself for as long as possible," he said.
Agassi announced this summer that his 21st consecutive US Open would be his final event. It seemed unimaginable that he could win seven matches to take the title, but after two inspiring victories, fans began to hope and wonder.
Instead, the end came with Agassi looking like what he'd become - a 36-year-old man with a bad back, ready for retirement.
"I just credit the doctors that I was able to play out there today," he said. "I didn't expect a whole lot physically. And sure enough, it was real early when I wasn't feeling so good."
The 25-year-old Becker started strong, showing few nerves, and closed out the match with a 214-kph ace.
Moments later, Agassi teared up on the blue court as he addressed a crowd that showed up early at Arthur Ashe Stadium and tried to spur him all afternoon.
"The scoreboard said I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I've found," Agassi said, his voice cracking with emotion. "Over the last 21 years, I've found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I have found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed sometimes even in my lowest moments."
German qualifier Becker applauded as Agassi spoke. Agassi's wife, Steffi Graf, and their two children looked on.
"He was my idol growing up," said Becker, no relation to Boris - never even met him.
He joined the crowd for a four-minute, loud standing ovation saluting Agassi, who stared out at the crowd from his chair, wiping tears from his eyes.
Agassi was greeted by another big cheer from fellow players when he walked into the locker room. Toward the end of that tribute, Becker entered.
"It was awkward, me walking in," he said. "You feel bad, too. I couldn't really be happy."
Becker advanced to play 2003 US Open champ Andy Roddick, who defeated Fernando Verdasco of Spain 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2.
Roddick relieved
Roddick sounded almost relieved at not having to face Agassi.
"If I would have won, then I probably would have broken down," Roddick said. "And if I would have lost, I would have probably broken down."
Elsewhere, Marat Safin - the 2000 Open champion who's unseeded this year - knocked off fourth-seeded David Nalbandian 6-3, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 7-6 (6) in a second-round match originally scheduled for Friday but pushed back by rain.
In third-round action, unseeded two-time Open champion Serena Williams won her second consecutive match against a seeded player, beating No. 16 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 6-2, 6-4 to set up a showdown on Monday against No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo, and 1998 champ Lindsay Davenport erased two match points in defeating Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5).
Na Li of China upset 2005 runner-up Mary Pierce 4-6, 6-0, 6-0, advancing to a fourth-round match against No. 3 Maria Sharapova, who dispatched fellow Russian Elena Likhovtseva 6-3, 6-2.
France's Tatiana Golovin ousted fifth-seeded Nadia Petrova 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-3, her third straight win over the Russian, who committed 56 unforced errors.
Other women's winners included Russia's Anna Chakvetadze and Dinara Safina, France's Virginie Razzano, and Switzerland's Patty Schnyder.
On the men's side, second-seeded Rafael Nadal reached the Open's fourth round for the first time, and others to advance included 2001 Open champion Lleyton Hewitt, British teen Andy Murray, Belgium's Olivier Rochus, Russia's Nikolay Davydenko and Mikhail Youzhny, Spain's Tommy Robredo, the Czech Republic's Jiri Novak, and France's Richard Gasquet.