Agassi to begin chase for Masters Cup place

Andre Agassi was set to intensify his chase for a place in next month’s eight-man Masters Cup, with his arrival today morning in Sweden...

int(4)

Andre Agassi was set to intensify his chase for a place in next month’s eight-man Masters Cup, with his arrival today morning in Sweden to compete as top seed at the 632,750-euro Stockholm Open.

Three days after losing to Marat Safin in the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters, the 34-year-old American was preparing for a big push to earn a late place in the season wrap-up which begins November 15.

Already on site for several days in the Swedish capital is Agassi’s coach, Darren Cahill, who has been studying a tape of his charge’s loss in Spain.

Story continues below this ad

Together, they will go over the defeat to Safin with a fine-tooched comb ahead of Agassi’s first round match against Belgian Kristof Vliegen.

ATP officials had yesterday confirmed Agassi’s arrival, saying the eight-time Grand Slam champion had confirmed he would play after sounding somewhat disinterested in carrying on after his elimination in Madrid.

The veteran can start earning points to the good as soon as the second round and can only add to his total of 393 the more he progresses.

Agassi is in provisional eighth place in a field from which Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt have already qualified. Argentine Gaston Gaudio also has an entry by virtue of his French Open title.

Story continues below this ad

Agassi has this week in Stockholm and next week at the concluding Paris Bercy Masters to book one of the four spots remaining.