Andre Agassi Puts to Rest French Open Demons

Though the talk of Wimbledon is "Pistol" Pete Sampras, baseliner and return specialist Agassi remains a threat to challenge Sampras’ complete domination of perhaps the biggest tennis event in the world. Agassi lost, shockingly, to Sebastian Grosjean in the quarter-finals of the French Open at Roland Garros. Agassi admitted that he "needed a few days just to kind of regroup from the loss in Paris."

Agassi, who last won Wimbledon in 1992, had no problems exorcising those demons yesterday as he put down Wessels 7-6, 6-4, 6-4. "Ultimately I felt pretty good," said Agassi. "I think the first set I got a little lucky. He was serving around 85 per cent going into the tie-breaker and serving big and then he missed I think every first serve. All of a sudden he double-faulted and had to deal with his second serve for the first time in the match."

Agassi, who became only the fifth player ever to win each of tennis’ four major events when he won the French Open two years ago, is several years into a rebirth that saw him transform himself from a wild teenager into a mature and disciplined player. His excellent return game and ability to play under intense pressure make him a top seed at Wimbledon.