Baghdatis' Agony Saves Agassi

I was sitting courtside at the US Open last night with other media, covering the second-round match between Andre Agassi and Marcos Baghdatis. After Agassi won the second set, I left the court, stowed my gear in my locker, packed my shoulder bag, and sat and watched a television in the media room. I awaited the last point, after which I planned to step out the door, drive home, and get a good night of sleep to prepare for my early-morning return to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Then Agassi lost the third set.

I wandered out to the food court, bought some popcorn, and leaned against a light post to watch the fourth set. Agassi lost that one, too.

So I went back to my locker, unloaded my gear, and returned to my courtside seat — at midnight — just in case Agassi lost. And Agassi is downright lucky that he didn’t.

Agassi didn’t dominate the first two sets, but he sure controlled them. The third and fourth sets were a tribute not so much to Agassi’s advanced age, but to Baghdatis’ youthful fortitude. The fifth set showcased both players’ desire to prolong their presence in the tournament. But Baghdatis limped, and Agassi slumped. If not for the former, today Agassi would be a former tennis pro.

Despite Baghdatis badly aggravating a thigh cramp by lunging for a wide ground stroke late in the fifth set, Agassi still had trouble clinching the win. If Agassi couldn’t finish off a hobbling Baghdatis, how could he have fended off a healthy one?

Agassi knew the truth: An opponent's cramp extended his career.

After the match, Agassi sat in his courtside chair amidst an uncharacteristic air of fear. He looked like a speeding driver who just saw the car behind him get pulled over by a cop.