Agassi overcomes deficits to defeat Pavel before record crowd

Next for Agassi is a match against eighth-seeded Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus, a 21-year-old player who reached the Australian Open final and Wimbledon semifinals this year.

"Such a talent," Agassi said. "One of those guys you'd pay to go watch."

Agassi won the Open in 1994 and 1999, part of his collection of eight Grand Slam titles, and was the runner-up four times, including last year. When Agassi won that first U.S. Open championship, his blond hair was long and tucked under a cap, his shirt was a loud purple, and he wore a pinkie ring and dangling earring.

Hard to believe that same person was under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday. Look at Agassi now: Shaved head, country-club-ready white outfit, and the beaded necklace that reads, "Daddy Rocks," made by his son. Both of Agassi's children were in the stands; in the fourth set, Graf was using a video camera, just like any parent on an outing with the kids. Agassi's father was there, too, as was his brother Phil.

Once play began, the beseeching cries of "Let's go, Ahhn-dray!" could, in theory, have been for either competitor. Just to make it absolutely clear how the crowd felt, one man yelled out in the second tiebreaker: "There's only one Andre!"

Agassi provided glimpses of his glorious past, of the player who's won 60 singles titles. He smacked 17 aces at up to 125 mph. He took as big a cut as you'll ever see on some groundstrokes, as though putting whatever energy he might have left into each swing. He used what was often considered his trademark, the hard-hit return, to gain the advantage at times. One example: He turned around a 123-mph serve with a backhand return right at the baseline that Pavel couldn't handle, giving Agassi a 9-8 edge in the second tiebreaker.

"He's still one of the fittest guys on tour," Pavel said. "He's amazing."

Yet it was also clear why he decided to announce two days before the start of Wimbledon, in late June, that this would be his farewell event. Over and over, Pavel would end points with short drop shots that Agassi wouldn't even chase. Agassi double-faulted eight times. And as much of a baseline tactician as Agassi always has been, it was Pavel who had the better of many of their lengthy groundstroke exchanges, winning 14 of 21 points that lasted 10 strokes or longer.

Still, on one of those points, Agassi's defense was enough that Pavel sailed a backhand long to end the second set. Agassi pumped his fist toward Cahill and others in the players' box, then shook his racket in Graf's direction.

The spectators rose in unison, staying on their feet and applauding throughout the changeover. When it was time to start the third set, Agassi skipped out to the baseline, looking downright childlike.

"He's the man right now," Pavel said. "I wish him well. I hope he can go all the way. He deserves it."