Labor Day Weekend at the US Open

Yesterday Andre Agassi's father got his unhappy wish that Andre would play no more and risk permanently injuring his back. Benjamin Becker of Germany defeated Andre -- obviously hindered by his back but playing hard and well anyway -- in a good match 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-5, in the third round of the US Open.

In the first minutes of his retirement from the pro tour, Andre said:

The scoreboard said I lost today. What the scoreboard doesn't say is how much I've won. I found loyalty. You have pulled for me on the court and in life. I've found inspiration. You've willed me to succeed. I've found generosity. You've allowed me to stand on your shoulders to reach my dreams. And I will take you in my memory for the rest of my life.

Men's Singles

Today in the 4th round:

• Andy Roddick of the United States beat Becker in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
• Rafael Nadal of Spain beat Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic 6-1, 7-6, 6-4.
• UPDATE: Lleyton Hewitt of Australia beat Richard Gasquet of France 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3.

Tommy Haas of Germany, Marat Safin of Russia, and Mikhail Youzhny of Russia advanced in third-round action today.

Women's Singles

Amelie Mauresmo of France beat Serena Williams of the United States 6-4, 0-6, 6-2.

Time out. WHAT? I hate that! Mauresmo gave away a donut in the second set! How on earth do players do that and then suddenly wake up and win the next set 6-2! Grrr!

In other 4th round matches, Justine Henin Hardenne of Belgium, Dinara Safina of Russia, Maria Sharapova of Russia, Lindsay Davenport of the United States, Tatiana Golovin of France, Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and Montenegro, and Elena Dementieva of Russia all advanced into quarterfinals.

Men's Doubles (3rd Round) teams that advanced today:

• Martin Damm the Czech Republic and Leander Paes of India
• Ashley Fisher of Australia and Tripp Phillips of the United States
• Paul Hanley of Australia and Kevin Ullyett of Zimbabwe
• Mark Knowles of the Bahamas and Daniel Nestor of Canada
• Jonas Bjorkman Sweden and Max Mirnyi of Belarus
• Fabrice Santoro of France and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia and Montenegro
• Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra of France

Less than half the players on that list are in the singles: only Jonas Bjorkman, Max Mirnyi, Fabrice Santoro, and Arnaud Clement. I don't know why they call the doubles players "doubles specialists" though. The specializing is done in singles. It leaves the doubles draw wide open for players who aren't good enough to compete in the singles.

Women's Doubles (2nd and 3rd rounds) teams that advanced today:

• Ana Ivanovic of Serbia and Montenegro and Maria Kirilenko of Russia
• Janette Husarova of Slovakia and Elena Likhovtseva of Russia
• Nathalie Dechy of France and Vera Zvonareva of Russia
• Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic and Francesca Schiavone of Italy
• Dinara Safina of Russia and Katarina Srebotnik of Slovenia
• Maret Ani of Estonia and Meilen Tu of the United States
• Zi Yan and Jie Zheng of China
• Lisa Raymond of the United States and Samantha Stosur of Australia
• Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain and Paola Suarez of Argentina

Mixed Doubles (1st and 2nd round) teams that advanced today:

• Martina Navratilova and Bob Bryan of the United States
• Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain and Sebastian Prieto of Argentina
• Nathalie Dechy and Fabrice Santoro of France
• Vania King and Vince Spadea of the United States