Open-Marathon man Sargsian wins another thriller

Open-Marathon man Sargsian wins another thriller

Reuters
Sun 5 September, 2004 02:46

LONDON, Sept 4 (Reuters) – Sargis Sargsian starred in another
late-night drama at the U.S. Open on Saturday when he rallied from
two sets down to overcome Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu and move into
the fourth round.

The Florida-based Armenian ground out a 4-6 4-6 6-4 6-2 7-6 in four
hours 41 minutes on a jam-packed Grandstand Court.

On Thursday, the 31-year-old stunned Olympic gold medallist Nicolas
Massu in another five-setter that lasted five hours 9 minutes, the
second longest match in U.S. Open history.

Sargsian, who now plays close friend Andre Agassi, has been on court
more than 12 hours to reach the last 16.

“I don’t know how I did it, I just kept fighting at the end,” said
Sargsian, who saved two match points at 6-5 down in the fifth set
before winning the tiebreak 7-4.

“I felt a bit stiff before the start but I felt better than I did
against Massu.”