Ageless Agassi storms on in New York ( 2003-09-01 08:59) (Agencies)
A pumped-up Andre Agassi polished off former world number one Yevgeny
Kafelnikov 6-3 7-6 6-4 on Sunday to reach the US Open fourth round.
The top seed was followed into the winners' circle by a restrained Andy
Roddick, who let his tennis do all the talking in a brutal 6-1 6-3 6-3
demolition of Brazilian Flavio Saretta.
In the women's draw, fifth seed Amelie Mauresmo of France overpowered Thai
Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-2 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals.
Mauresmo will next face world number one Kim Clijsters of Belgium or 17th
seed Meghann Shaughnessy of the US, who face off in a night match.
Earlier, third seed Lindsay Davenport became the first woman through to the
quarters when she struggled past Russian Nadia Petrova 6-0 6-7 6-2.
Davenport, the 1998 US Open champion, had a pain-killing injection in her toe
before the season's last grand slam, and she appeared to be moving gingerly
towards the end of the one hour 52 minutes match.
"It is what it is," Davenport told reporters of the injury. "I still feel
pretty good...was able to get through it."
Davenport next meets Paola Suarez, the 24th seed from Argentina, who beat
Russian Elena Likhovtseva 6-2 3-6 7-5.
Having been accused by Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic of influencing linesmen with
his animated behaviour in an emotionally-charged second-round clash, Roddick was
subdued throughout his 87-minute match.
DESERVED FAVOURITE
His tennis certainly did not suffer, however, and he heads into the next
match against Belgian Xavier Malisse or Russian qualifier Dmitry Tursunov a
deserved favourite to win his first grand slam.
"I didn't need it," he said, explaining why he had been subdued. "Just so
happened that the other night I really needed it," he added, referring to his
on-court antics of pumping himself up.
World number one Agassi barely put a foot wrong once his match, held over
from Saturday night, resumed under cloudless skies with the American leading 6-3
0-1.
"I think a lot of things went well. I managed to sneak out that second set
tiebreak and then I was off to the races," Agassi smiled.
"It was a tough day yesterday for both me and the Y-man," he added, referring
to the rain that had halted the match overnight.
Twice a winner at Flushing Meadows and three-times runner- up, including last
year, the 33-year-old Agassi underlined his determination to win a ninth grand
slam with a top-notch performance.
His receiving radar will have to be fully functional in the next round,
however, when he lines up opposite massive server Taylor Dent of the US
Earlier, 22nd seed Younes El Aynaoui thrilled a Grandstand Court crowd with a
pulsating 7-6 5-7 3-6 6-3 7-6 win over 10th-seeded Czech Jiri Novak.
The delighted Moroccan ripped off his shirt and hurled his rackets into the
crowd after clinching victory. El Aynaoui meets Spain's Carlos Moya in the
fourth round.
"When I was watching tennis I would love to get a piece of a tennis player, a
wristband or anything," El Aynaoui said.
"So I am always trying to give things away and make people happy...I'm trying
to get some more rackets right now."