Defeat Pins Agassi's Hopes on Wimbledon

Marat Safin of Russia, the world No2 and this year's beaten Australian Open finalist, is the last man standing this morning who can prevent an all-Spanish final on Sunday. Many had hoped that Andre Agassi would make it to today's semi-finals, and beyond, but he eventually succumbed 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 to the youthful vigour and power of Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Agassi was understandably disappointed, having arrived in Paris as the newly minted Italian Open champion, and feeling exceptionally confident. But a grand slam, with its five-set format, is a considerably more severe test and Agassi had already shown signs of wavering in his earlier win against France's Paul-Henri Mathieu.

"I suppose for me the French Open has always been the most difficult one to win," said the 32-year-old Agassi. His triumph at Roland Garros three years ago was the stuff of tennis legend, and one that now seems unlikely ever to be repeated.

However, Agassi still fancies his chances at Wimbledon, a title he won 10 years ago, and where he has been runner-up and twice semi-finalist over the last three years. "I'm certainly aware of the opportunities being fewer and fewer, but I still like my game in most scenarios, and maybe I'll be able to take my opportunity at Wimbledon."

Today's semi-final against Safin will be Ferrero's third in succession at the French Open, having previously lost on both occasions to Brazil's Gustavo Kuerten, who went on to take the title. But Safin, who crushed France's Sebastien Grosjean 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 yesterday, is a ferocious hitter and holds a 3-2 career advantage over Ferrero.

In the other, all-Spanish semi-final Albert Costa plays Alex Corretja, last year's beaten finalist. Corretja needed only three games to finish off his match against Romania's Andrei Pavel 7-6, 7-5, 7-5, whose wife gave birth to a baby son on Wednesday night. Never has a player lost with as much joy.