Chang Romps Into Fourth Round
Smoothly and quietly, Michael Chang is sneaking ahead at the Australian Open, winning in straight sets while other top seeds struggle, shrugging off the searing heat that everyone else fears.
The slogan on Chang’s T-shirt Friday might well have been his motto, “Go To Work,” something he’s been doing with little fuss and much success.
Chang’s latest victory, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) over Guillaume Raoux, put the No. 5 seed into the fourth round with less strain than any of the seeded players ahead of him.
Defending champ Andre Agassi, who barely survived a five-setter against a qualifier in the first round, beat No. 225 Steve Bryan, 4-6, 6-0, 6-2, 6-1.
Agassi covered his shaved scalp with a white ‘do rag to protect him from the blazing sun after going bareheaded on a cooler afternoon in his match the previous day. Despite losing the first set to Bryan, Agassi appeared quicker and sharper than he had earlier in the tournament.
“I wasn’t expecting him to play with as much offense as he did,” said Agassi, who had never played Bryan. “He was taking pretty good control of the points, when he had a chance. He forced me to raise my level.”
Chang’s way into the fifth round became a little easier when No. 11 Richard Krajicek retired with a back injury in the third set against JeanPhilippe Fleurian.
As the rubberized hardcourts burned with temperatures near 90 degrees, the heat took its toll on players and fans alike.
No. 3 Thomas Muster, as fit as anyone, looked exhausted at the end of his 6-4, 7-6 (11-9), 6-4 win over Nicklas Kulti. Compounding his problems, Muster lost his balance and twisted an ankle backpedaling for a shot in the second set. He blamed the courts, which tend to become sticky as they get hotter.
“I wasn’t sure how it was going to be when I stepped on it,” said Muster, who had the ankle taped before resuming play. “Once the tape loosened up a little, I felt my confidence coming back. It’s OK. There’s no swelling or anything, and no torn ligaments.”
In women’s matches, No. 3 Arantxa Sanchez Vicario beat Sandra Cacic 6-3, 6-3; No. 6 Gabriela Sabatini routed Karin Kschwendt 6-1, 6-2; No. 7 Iva Majoli beat Alexandra Fusai 6-2, 6-1; No. 9 Mary Joe Fernandez ripped Nicole Arendt 6-1, 6-1; No. 13 Chanda Rubin defeated Laurence Courtois 6-0, 6-2; and No. 15 Naoko Sawamatsu beat Japanese compatriot Ai Sugiyama 6-4, 6-0.