Agassi & Nadal Remain on Collision CoursePosted on June 28, 2006 Second seed Rafael Nadal and former champion Andre Agassi are one win away from a blockbuster third-round showdown after winning their first-round matches at Wimbledon Tuesday.
Nadal, who reached the Wimbledon third round on debut as a 17-year-old in 2003, defeated Briton Alex Bogdanovic 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-4. Agassi, 36, looked in danger of a disappointing first-round exit after Serb Boris Pashanski rolled through the first set 6-2. But the eight-time Grand Slam champion, who is playing for the final time at the All England Club, finished strongly to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3. Agassi said: "I think I was a bit lost out there in the first set. I think I was a bit too nervous. But, you know, then I settled in and managed to find a little bit of rhythm, making it a lot better from there. That's what I tried to focus on. But it was comfortable in the end." Agassi received a rousing reception from fans as he walked onto Centre Court. "It just sort of added to my nerves, to be quite honest. I mean, you expect to be overwhelmed with the whole situation anyhow, regardless of just how warmly you're embraced out there. But then to feel that sort of support, it just meant the world to me. I just wanted to do 'em proud." Former finalist Mark Philippoussis, who had won just five matches this season, fired 39 aces in his 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3, 7-6(12) victory over Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu, who was left ruing a missed forehand volley on set point in the fourth-set tie-break. German Tommy Haas, the No. 19 seed, defeated Czech Jiri Vanek 6-4, 7-5, 6-2. The former World No. 2 could meet Roger Federer in the fourth round. -- ATP |
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