Agassi, Courier Top Dutch Foes In Davis Cup Thrillers

Andre Agassi overcame gusting winds and a slew of unforced errors to beat Sjeng Schalken 7-6 (8-6), 6-4, 7-6 (7-2), and countryman Jim Courier rallied for a five-set victory against Jan Siemerink on Friday, giving the United States a 2-0 lead over the Netherlands in their Davis Cup quarterfinal in Newport Beach, Calif.

Courier defeated Siemerink 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 on the hardcourts at the Palisades Tennis Club, the first time in his nine-year pro career he’s won a match after losing the first two sets.

The United States could clinch the best-of-five series today with a victory in doubles. The winner advances to the semifinals against the Australia-Czech Republic quarterfinal winner.

Agassi erased a 5-3 deficit in the third set en route to winning his 14th straight Davis Cup match, putting him within two of tying Bill Tilden’s record for consecutive victories by an American. Agassi’s victory was his first in any competition since February.

Siemerink held a match point against Courier in the fourth set. Siemerink’s volley winner put him ahead 40-30, but he then netted a return of Courier’s serve and sent a backhand wide as the American tied the set 5-5.

Martina Hingis defeated Wiltrud Probst 6-2, 6-0 to move on to the semifinals of the Family Circle tournament in Hilton Head Island, S.C., her 29th straight win.

Monica Seles, fighting to recover the fluid, free-swinging feel that Hingis has taken to the top, made short work of seventh-seeded Anke Huber 6-3, 6-0.

Seles played strong tennis despite a fever and will meet two-time Family Circle winner Conchita Martinez, the fifth seed, who dumped No. 13 Amanda Coetzer 6-1, 6-3.

Hingis faces No. 14 Brenda Schultz-McCarthy, who beat sixth-seeded Lindsay Davenport 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.