No Stopping the A-Train

Around 11pm or so last night, I was about to start writing about how Andre Agassi needed to retire from tennis. He was trailing James Blake by 2 sets and a break, which in tennis terms means, it's over. Agassi looked old while Blake was hitting him off the court on every shot it seemed. But an hour into the match, Agassi found his legs and his game, turning the tide on Blake. He came back to win the 3rd and 4th sets, and the majority of the 20,000 that remained now cheered furiously for Agassi, hoping the old man could work his magic one more time.

After looking dead on his feet during the 3rd and 4th sets, Blake raised his level of play and broke Agassi's serve halfway through the 5th set. He served for the match at 5-4 and won the first point with a big forehand, seemingly in control. Agassi had fought valiantly to get back in the match, but it looked as if he just didn't have enough. Andre wouldn't have any of it, showing why he is the greatest returner of serve of all-time, blasting 2 winners and breaking back to continue the match. Fittingly, the match went to the deciding 5th-set tiebreaker, and once again, Blake jumped on Agassi, taking a 3-0 lead. Agassi came from behind once again, taking a 6-5 lead after another big forehand return. Blake didn't succumb to the Agassi onslaught, hitting a big forehand of his own to tie it at 6. But Agassi, who works out furiously to stay in shape to compete with the young guns, won a long rally with a backhand. Then, one more big forehand return gave the tiebreak (8-6) and the match to Agassi.

3 hours the match took, ending at 1:15am. The end of the match was showed again tonight, and I still found myself on the edge of my seat, remembering why I love tennis so much. Blake has nothing to be ashamed of, he had a great run, and was able to raise his game in the 5th set despite Agassi seizing the momentum and the support of the crowd. If he keeps improving and playing with confidence, he'll win a major someday. I would even say he has more potential than Andy Roddick because he wants it more and has more than 1 consistent weapon.

Agassi now plays fellow American Robby Ginepri in Saturday's semifinals, so he gets an extra day of rest, which he needs after playing back-to-back 5-setters. Ginepri has played 3 straight 5-setters, so will youth prevail, or will Agassi be able to continue his run. This is by far the best Ginepri has ever played, but Agassi will be the overwhelming favorite. Also, this could be his best chance to win one more major, as if he were to beat Ginepri, he would play the survivor of Federer/Hewitt, which could be a long match. The final is played on Sunday, so whoever can win the easiest Saturday has the advantage, and despite Agassi's superior fitness level, at 35, he can ill afford another long match.

I haven't decided if this is the best US Open match I've ever seen. I remember Jimmy Connors' run to the semifinals in 1989. There was Sampras/Corretja in 1996, when Sampras came back to win in 5 sets while puking on court. And of course, the 2001 quarterfinal encounter between Agassi and Sampras, which Sampras won in 4 sets, all of them ending in tiebreakers. But it definitely ranks up there.

The ladies' semifinals are tomorrow afternoon. Sharapova/Clijsters has the potential for greatness. Both can hit the ball hard, and both want it badly. Clijsters is in superior condition, as shown by her domination of Venus in the 3rd set, but can she hold up under the pressure, which has prevented her from winning a major. The other semifinal is Mary Pierce/Elena Dementieva, which could be ugly. Both can hit the ball, but Pierce is slow and deliberate while Dementieva can't serve basically. While Agassi/Blake was the best match of the tourney, Davenport/Dementieva that came before could've been the worst.

Also tomorrow is the beginning of the Solheim Cup, the ladies' version of the Ryder Cup. It is being played at Crooked Stick in Carmel, IN, just outside of Indianapolis where John Daly won the 1991 PGA Championship. Watching some of the opening ceremony, it seems both teams get it. There are going to be 35,000 vocal fans there each day, mostly pro-American. It will be competitive, but all in good fun. The ladies, both sides, don't mind the raucous, but respective crowds. The ladies are able to go after each others' throats during the match, but hug afterwards. The American men need to learn this balance so maybe one day they can win one of these team events.

And of course, it's a big football weekend. I'll preview the college games tomorrow night after I return from one of the biggest high school games in the state and certainly the biggest in the Dayton area this weekend, Northmont vs. Centerville. Northmont has the pass-happy offense, Centerville has the rugged running game. Centerville can't stop the pass, Northmont has trouble stopping the run. Northmont should probably win this game, but one can never underestimate Centerville. The Elks and their fans are too proud to go down easily. It should be a great battle tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to it. There will at least be 10,000 tomorrow night, probably more, at the game, so we will be getting there early.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Ophelia may not be headed out to sea after all. The Category 1 Hurricane looks like it's headed for the east coast of Florida. If I were on the Gulf Coast, I'd be holding my breath for the next couple of months until hurricane season ends altogether. It's only about halfway through hurricane season and we're already at "O", amazing.

And good ol' Richard Hatch, winner of the 1st Survivor, was officially indicted for tax evasion. He failed to pay taxes on his Survivor winnings of all things (yeah, you win a contest on national TV where everyone sees you, and you think you can get away with of all things this???, what a MORON). Originally, he was going to plead guilty, but he withdrew his plea, thinking CBS was supposed to pay his taxes. What was he smoking when he came up with this idea??? He's also accused of misusing money from a non-profit camp he set up. I guess Richard doesn't understand the meaning of non-profit. Anyway, if he's found guilty on all charges, he could face up to 75 years in prison. Richard, piece of advice: Don't show your a** in prison.

Good night, god bless.