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Men's Semi-Final: Pat Rafter (AUS) v Andre Agassi (USA)
Rafter has beaten Agassi 6-2 3-6 6-3 2-6 8-6
First Set (24 min) Agassi 6-2
Second seed Andre Agassi made the first move of this greatly-anticipated match, breaking Australian Pat Rafter's second service game to take a 2-1 lead. Agassi seized the initiative after a Rafter double fault and sent back some awesome returns to take the game to love.
After holding his serve in the next game, Agassi pressed for a double break on Rafter's service. Rafter dug in to save a break point with an ace and then took advantage on deuce. However a lob by Agassi, followed by two sweet passing forehands and Rafter was down two breaks 4-1. The rest of the set went to serve, with Agassi taking the set 6-2.
Second Set (31 min) Rafter 6-3
If Agassi thought the contest was going to be a formality, he was gravely mistaken. Rafter shrugged off the first set and quickly served out his first game to take a 1-0 lead. On Agassi's serve, the Australian showed his experience by mixing up his returns with deep approaches and drop-shots. Agassi became flustered and rushed, allowing Rafter to take his second break point for a 2-0 lead.
Agassi now knew he had a match on his hands, and pressed Rafter to 30-40 in his next service game. The number 3 seed was able to find the big serve when he most needed it, though, and held serve for a healthy 3-0 lead in the second set.
Agassi managed to hold serve in the next game, although there were still signs that Rafter was upsetting his rhythmn. It needed a fortunate net cord on 40-30 to avoid further mishap.
The second set really hotted up in Rafter's next game as Agassi took the first two points with shots down the line. Rafter was then forced to find two top smashes from attempted lobs after exciting rallies, before finalling sending a pin-point accurate forehand onto the corner of the baseline for a 4-1 advantage.
Both men were now playing to their ability and trading exquisite winners. The crowd, full of Australians, seemed to be on Rafter's side, not least because they wanted the match to go the distance. Rafter didn't disappoint taking holding his next serve to 15. After Agassi won the next game, Rafter served to take the set, 6-3 and draw the scores level.
Third Set (37 min) Agassi 6-3
The intensity carried through to the third set, when Andre Agassi was forced to repel some blistering drives by Pat Rafter. Even the mis-hits looked spectacular! Repel them he did, though, and held serve to 30 to win the first game.
It was then Rafter's turn to worry as Agassi found his range, especially with his two-handed backhands down the line. Rafter was taken to deuce but finally prevailed with some timely volleys, to take parity in the third set 1-1.
Every point brought new excitement. Rafter stretched Agassi with a delicate drop-shot, followed by a cross-court forehand winner. Agassi was up to it, though, and held serve at deuce.
Rafter brought it back to 2-2 in the next game from 15-30 following an amazing chase by Agassi. The America proved his speed and determination the next game, as well, running down a shot that hit the net. He duly held serve to take the third set to 3-2 on serve.
Agassi picked up on his second break point of the sixth game of the third set and unforced errors on Rafter's part, put Agassi in the lead at 4-2.
Holding strongly on to his serve, Agassi dropped just one point in the next game, and duly increased his lead to 5-2.
Serving to stay in the set, Rafter served his thirteenth and fourteenth aces and quickly gained the rest of the game to trail 3-5. However, it was Agassi who took the set, 6-3 after a strong final service game.
Fourth Set (28 min) Rafter 6-2
Rafter's strong serve put him in control of the first game of the fourth set, giving him a 1-0 lead.
A great return by Rafter at 0-40 in the second game gave him his first point, but once again, Agassi's great serving and returns equalled the scores at 1-1.
Rafter kept the aces coming in the third game, stopping Agassi from getting a point and giving him a 2-1 lead in the fourth set.
Agassi, still having lost his serve only once, kept his serves coming down the centre line and combined with some great passing shots, evened the scores at 2-2.
A wide volley by Rafter and two excellent passing shots by Agassi tied scores at deuce in the fifth game, but Rafter managed to hold on and increased his game lead to 3-2.
A close line call cost Agassi the first point and a wide passing shot gave Rafter a 30-0 lead in the sixth game. Agassi evened the scores at 30-30 until Rafter won a long rally to give him the break point at 40-30. A wide shot by Agassi gave Rafter his second break and increased his lead to 4-2.
Rafter served his twentieth ace of the match in the seventh game but some great shots by Agassi evened the scores at 30-30. Strong serving and volleying by Rafter gave him the game and increased his lead to 5-2.
With Agassi serving to stay in the set, Rafter pushed foreward and earned two break points. Agassi save the first, but a close line call went in Rafter's favour and broke Agassi's serve to take the set and draw the game level for a second time.
Fifth Set (59 min) Rafter 8-6
As it looked as if Rafter was taking control of the match, the Australian self-destructed in his first service game. A double-fault and two missed touch volleys allowed Agassi to break for a vital 1-0 lead in the fifth.
Agassi duly held serve, and all the pressure returned to Rafter. Agassi flew to 15-40 and it looked bleak for Rafter as the American took control of the point. However a magnificent reflex volley at the net kept Rafter in the match and he eventually saw off three further break points to take the game and keep his chances alive.
Agassi again comfortably held serve for 3-1, showing he too is an able serve-volleyer. Agassi was back to his best by now, and played some blistering drives to gain another break point. Again Rafter dug in with some probing serves, including his 25th ace, to stay in touch in the fifth 2-3.
Agassi would not let the pressure drop and quickly served out to love including two aces. On Rafter's next game Agassi pulled off an impossible cross-court forehand winner, but Rafter looked much more assured as he served out to 15 for 3-4.
The American knew he just had to hold serve twice more to win. But so did Rafter and the Australian forced Agassi to 30-30. The Las Vegan was too strong, though, and Agassi held to make Rafter serve to stay in the match.
Rafter held his nerve and serve, helped by his 27th, 28th and 29th aces.
At 2 sets all, 5-4 and new balls, Agassi stepped up to serve for a place in the Final. However, there was an air of certainty that the drama would continue, and Rafter played some some brilliant attacking tennis under the greatest pressure break Agassi and prolong the match. The crowd, by this stage, were going wild.
Rafter now looked the favourite to win and eased through the next service game to finally take the lead at 6-5 in the fifth. It was Agassi now who was made to scramble as Rafter ran down two amazing chases to take it 30-30. But Agassi is not a man to roll over easily, and served out with two brave second serves.
Six games apiece, and the game was in 'sudden death'. Rafter confidently took the first three points to 40-love, but back came the American with four screaming returns to earn a break point. Rafter replied with an exquisite stun volley. On the second deuce Agassi was given a code violation for an obscenity after a disputable line call, and Rafter served out for 7-6.
Agassi rushed the first point of the next game and found the net. Again Agassi erred on a forehand and it was 0-30. Rafter charged in after a return and earned three match points. Agassi found an immaculate winner to save the first, before a call from the crowd upset Rafter. On the third, however, he made no mistake with a return and won a famous match 2-6 6-3 3-6 6-2 8-6.
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