Monday, 4/7/97
U.S., Agassi vanquish the Netherlands in Davis Cup
quarterfinals
America set to match up with Australia in September’s
semifinals
By Beth Harris
The Associated Press
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Andre Agassi, handcuffed early by Jan
Siemerink’s serve-and-volley game, rallied with pinpoint passing
shots for the victory Sunday that gave the United States a 4-1 win
over the Netherlands in a Davis Cup quarterfinal.
The Americans advance to the semifinals, Sept. 19-21, against
Australia, a 5-0 winner over the Czech Republic.
It was Agassi’s 15th straight Davis Cup singles victory, putting
him within reach of Bill Tilden, who won 16 straight for the United
States during the 1920s and early 1930s.
Agassi ended the 2-hour, 48-minute match with a crosscourt
backhand for a 3-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory, then embraced U.S.
captain Tom Gullikson as 5,396 cheering fans rose to their
feet.
"I just needed to find my groove, and I didn’t find it as soon
as I should have," he said.
After sharing hugs with teammates Jim Courier, Rick Leach and
Jonathan Stark, Agassi bounded back on court. He blew kisses and
bowed to all four seating sections in between signaling No. 1 with
his index fingers.
The Dutch came into Sunday’s reverse singles matches needing two
wins after Paul Haarhuis and Jacco Eltingh prevented a U.S. sweep
by winning Saturday’s doubles.
After Agassi’s victory, Stark routed Sjeng Schalken 6-4, 6-0 in
a meaningless singles match to close out the best-of-5 series.
Stark, a doubles specialist, replaced Courier, who injured his
right quadriceps in practice Sunday.
Siemerink, ranked 22nd in the world, came out serving strongly
and wrapped up the first two sets in one hour on the hardcourts at
the Palisades Tennis Club. But, the Dutchman began to unravel at
the beginning of the third set.
"I could feel that (Agassi) stepped up to another level of
play," Siemerink said. "That’s what made the difference. He changed
the level and I couldn’t."
In other Davis Cup quarterfinal action, Sweden defeated South
Africa 3-2, and Italy swept Spain. Sweden and Italy will meet in
the other semifinal.