Agassi Comes All the Way Back

Really, it is nothing new for Andre Agassi to reach a final in Southern California. The last time was about eight months ago.

Of course, he was in Burbank.

And Agassi had to change the score himself at the challenger event.

The few miles between Burbank and UCLA might as well be a million miles when it comes to comparing the major and minor leagues of tennis. During those challenger days, Agassi remembered his new colleagues looking at him with sadness, shaking their heads at his downward mobility.

Now, the looks are a bit different around the Los Angeles Tennis Center at UCLA. No looks of pity. Fear, perhaps?

The fifth-seeded Agassi defeated wild-card entry Justin Gimelstob, 6-0, 7-6 (7-2), in the semifinals at the Mercedes-Benz Cup on Saturday in 74 minutes. He has not lost in 10 matches he has played since Wimbledon, which includes Davis Cup play against Belgium. He has not dropped a set in that span. On the ATP Tour, he has won nine consecutive matches and one tournament.

In the final, Agassi will play second-seeded Tim Henman of England, who defeated Guillaume Raoux of France, 7-5, 6-3.

Henman finished off the 1-hour 19-minute victory with two service winners, one at 132 mph and the other 133 mph. This will be his first match against Agassi.

“It’s always exciting when you play someone of Agassi’s stature,” Henman said. “In the final makes it extra special. I need to serve consistently. I don’t think I’m going to beat him from the back of the court.”

The match between Agassi and Gimelstob was lacking in drama until the second set. Early on, Gimelstob was troubled by the sun and had his serve broken three consecutive times.

In all, his first serve percentage was 58% to Agassi’s 73%.

There was something of an undercurrent of tension, considering Gimelstob defeated Agassi here last year in the first round. Additionally, most of the exhilaration Gimelstob felt after defeating top-ranked Patrick Rafter of Australia in the quarterfinals disappeared when he was told of comments Agassi made about his game and his future.

Agassi said the 21-year-old Gimelstob had top-30 potential. That alone was not too insulting.

But last month at Indianapolis, Agassi spoke about young American Jan-Michael Gambill, saying, “As far as the rest, we don’t have anybody.”

The accumulation of comments upset Gimelstob, who had a few comments for Agassi. Agassi said he read the quotes on Saturday.

“It’s more of a personal situation, not a professional one,” Agassi said. “The tennis is going to be the tennis once you get out there. I’ve always treated Justin like a friend, or even a brother. I’ve had him to my house. Last week, excluding when he played [Jim] Courier, I was giving him tips on how to play these guys.

“I’ve pulled for him as much as anybody.

“I’m opinionated, I guess. He can get better. How much better, time will tell. Maybe he has plans to be No. 1 in the world. I wish him all the best.”

Said Gimelstob: “He played a better match. There’s no shame in losing to one of the best players of all time.

“I felt like I accomplished a lot of things this week.”

After he beat Rafter, Gimelstob, who once played for UCLA, proclaimed that the Stadium Court at the Los Angeles Tennis Center was “his house.”

And now?

“It’s still my place, but I guess he’ll lease it this year,” Gimelstob said.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Mercedes-Benz Cup Final

* Who: Andre Agassi (5) vs. Tim Henman, England (2).

* When: 4 p.m. today

* Where: L.A. Tennis Center.

* Television: Fox Sports West.