Game, Set, Match
In what was probably the greatest tennis match I’ve ever seen, Agassi beat Blake two nights ago in New York, keeping me up until the wee hours of the morning and leaving me on the edge of the couch, mouth agape, for all 5 sets, and a tie-breaker for the ages.I know Blake has been the new favorite with his comeback this year, but I’ve followed Agassi since he had long hair and fell to his knees in a win on center court at the Open in 1994. At 35 this year is his year. He was behind by two sets and those who didn’t have faith in his ability, or forgot how great a player he is, thought it was a done deal. Agassi made a comeback to win in the closet match ever 3-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (6). The crowd was on its feet, the chair urging them to be quiet for first serves that went off without the typical pin-dropping silence that has always accompanied them and bothered me. It was reminiscent of the 5th set in the 1977 Open against Bjorn Borg when Jimmy Connors brought much needed life back to tennis, rallying from four games behind. He pumped up the crowd, enabling them to become involved in a sport that has forever been based in pseudo-elitist etiquette, watched over by a single icy Ump looking down from their perch.
As the clock hit 1:10AM and I watched Agassi’s forehand winner in the tie breaker cinch him a spot in the semi’s tomorrow against Robby Ginepri, I felt confident that Agassi has never played, (and perhaps never will), play a better match.
Federer plays Hewitt tomorrow as well, the winner of each advancing to the finals. Agassi will beat Ginepri, but I don’t know if he can take Federer after the energy lost on Wednesday. However I have faith in the fact that despite age, talent reigns, and the best man will win. Regardless, Round 5 brought an energy back to tennis that has been missing for a long time, and was as good a match as any final could be.
In other news, Boston is playing a 3 game series against the Yankees in the Bronx. With NY four games behind and a game behind Cleveland for the Wildcard, I don’t feel as confident about their spot for this year as I do for Agassi taking home an Open win. Of course, everyone around me in this city is okay with that. As Wells steps to the plate at the Stadium tonight, in Boston the crazy fans will come out. They’ll head to the bars, they will yell and curse and riot, because this isn’t just any team they’re playing, after all, and these fans aren't just any fans.
A far cry from love, 15, 30, 40, game.
posted by Victoria Comella @ 2:13 PM
1 Comments:
these arent just any fans...they are the best fans in all of baseball...
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