Act 1 over and done for emotional Agassi

One down, six to go is how Andre Agassi summed up his thrilling four sets win in US Open first round.

One down, six to go is how Andre Agassi summed up the mighty physical and emotional task facing him after his thrilling four sets win over Andrei Pavel in the US Open first round.

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The 36-year-old American, who is retiring after his 21st straight campaign at Flushing Meadows, had to dig deep late Monday just to reach the second round against an opponent he would likely have swatted aside in his heyday.

And he now has two full days to allow his aching body to recover enough to take on the rising Cypriot star Marcos Baghdatis, never one to be overawed by reputations.

Agassi left no doubt afterwards that he is going through physical and mental turmoil.

For the past 18 months he has needed regular cortisone injections in his back just to have any chance of competing and on the psychological side he is under immense pressure from the New York crowd to produce a grandstand finish to his stellar 20-year-long career.

"When you look at a year like I've had, it's easy to wish you didn't have to go through it," he said.

"I needed to because for me I wanted to make sure I had given everything I can and to do this as long and hard as possible.

"To not compete this year, not try to get myself right, not to to get myself through it, I would feel like I was quitting more than retiring.

"As much pain as it's been, it's been worth it for me just to put myself in a position where I can have clairity in my own peace of heart, peace of mind because I believe it affects more than just me."

Agassi was clearly referring to his wife, German tennis legend Steffi Graf, long-time physical trainer Gil Reyes and coach Australian Darren Cahill, all of whom were courtside for Monday's roller-coaster.

He also had words of praise and thanks for the Flushing Meadows faithful who are egging him on to go out in a blaze of glory as did compatriots Jimmy Connors who reached the semi-finals in 1991 and Pete Sampras who retired after winning in 2002.

Of even his own thrilling run to last year's final winning three consecutive five-setters on his way to the final where he had Roger Federer looking worried before the Swiss World No.1 rallied to win in four sets.

"They've always been important, the way they have pulled for me and got me through so many difficult sutuations," he said acknowledging the vocal support. "Tonight was no different."

"It works against you at times because you're trying so hard for them. But other times you can grind your gears."

Turning to second round opponent Baghdatis, a former world junior No.1 who reached the Australian Open final in January, losing to Federer, and the Wimbledon semi-finals in July, losing to Nadal, Agassi said he was a rare talent.

"Never played against him. Match-up is always interesting dynamic to see. One of those guys you'd pay to go watch," he said.

On Thursday night though, Baghdatis knows it will not be him who is the main draw at the turnstyles.

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