[Agassi Aces]

On another thread I spoke to a guy who has been in Shanghai all week and he watched Andre practising on Thursday. Evidently he looked "very good, fit, sharp and serious." We know Andre wouldn't turn up without knowing himself he was fit and can win the event!

[andre the great]

Seen AA's draw . here's hoping he makes the semis at least. should beat everyone in his draw barring Rafa and he is capable of giving him a shock as well.

[joycomesmorning]

Unfamous five fail to make good impression
From Neil Harman in Shanghai



FORMALLY, the Masters Cup starts tomorrow with two groups of four, but it is really a group of three and another of five — the three who can turn every head on a Shanghai street corner and five who could not turn one hair.
Rafael Nadal probably rejects proposals of marriage most days and the 19-year-old Spanish bull was besieged with them as he tried to force his way into the players’ hotel last night. Andre Agassi and Roger Federer are spoken for — one famously wed, the other inseparable from his girlfriend.



These are the three superstars who have saved this end-of-season extravaganza from dying on its sore feet and who will be shrilly supported this week. The rest, sadly for them and for a sport that thrives on personalities, would struggle to sell a ticket at any tennis venue that was not near the place they were born.

This event has become something of an Argentine benefit, with three of them in the draw, which goes against the grain because two of that nation’s other players, Mariano Puerta, here as first reserve, and Guillermo Cañas, are awaiting the outcome of doping cases.

Agassi has not played for two months, although he has been hitting sporadically and working out with relative gusto; Federer has been sidelined for six weeks with an ankle ligament problem and Nadal pulled out of his past two tournaments to rest his left knee. And so it is the other five who are the players in form, or at least with more recent tread on their tyres.

Nikolay Davydenko, the Russian, attracted some recognition, but as David Nalbandian and Gaston Gaudio laboured through the hotel’s reception, it was noticeable that not one flashbulb was ignited. Indeed, Gaudio, the French Open champion in 2004 and winner of five titles this season, looked as if he didn’t care about being here. With so much money and the goodwill of the Chinese people being thrown at the players, with five matches at most being asked in return, someone should tell him to cheer up.

[suus21]

I hope Andre will wear a different outfit

[Agassi Aces]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/tennis :

AGASSI VOWS TO KEEP ON PLAYING

Andre Agassi has put his retirement on hold for at least another year as he prepares to return to action at the Masters Cup in Shanghai on Monday.
Agassi last played in his US Open final defeat to Roger Federer in September and says that loss has inspired him to continue to challenge for titles.

"I want another chance, that's the way it is," said the 35-year-old American.

"It brings out my motivation to do things I don't even think I'm capable of doing."

Agassi will make his comeback against Russia's Nikolay Davydenko on Monday and is the oldest player by eight years at the season finale.

The third seed, whose lay-off has been tailored to get him fit for Shanghai, added: "I want to keep doing this so I have to choose my poison.

"Not playing is not always easy and it's not always a great decision in the short-term but my intention is to do this for another year."

[suus21]

COOL I knew it.

[tangerine_dream]

Um...

Ankle sprain concern for Agassi before Masters Cup

Sat Nov 12, 2005

SHANGHAI, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Former winner Andre Agassi, who has not played since losing to Roger Federer in the U.S. Open final in September, returns to action at this week's Masters Cup troubled by an ankle sprain.

The 35-year-old American, winner of the season-ending Masters back in 1990, suffered the injury playing racquetball four weeks ago.

"It's not the most ideal preparation but you always want to believe that you've still got it," said Agassi, who is appearing in the tournament for a record 13th time.

"Not playing is not always easy and it's not always a great decision in the short-term but my intention was to get fit for Shanghai and to do this for another year.

"I want another chance, that's the way it is."

Agassi, who has been drawn with Rafael Nadal, Nikolay Davydenko and Gaston Gaudio in the Gold Group at the $4.45 million event, accepts the game has changed a great deal since he beat Sweden's Stefan Edberg in the 1990 final.

"I think we can't ignore how violent the athleticism of the sport has become," said the eight-times grand slam champion.

"Guys are getting bigger, stronger and hitting the ball harder. There's more wear and tear as the sport evolves naturally, into a more powerful athletic game.

"One thing you can't ignore is in order to get to the ball these days, you have to move ballistically.

"Playing a surface like we are here is not easy on the body," added Agassi, who plays his first match against Davydenko on Monday."

The top two in each group advance to the semi-finals at the ATP Tour's season-ending extravaganza which runs from Nov. 13 to 20 at Shanghai's Qi Zhong Stadium.