Novak Djokovic kept alive his hopes of ending Roger Federer’s dominance at the US Open in New York as the third-seeded Serb edged past Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic.

SECOND seed Rafael Nadal made predictably swift progress at Wimbledon yesterday, sweeping aside the challenge of Austrian veteran Werner Eschauer.

IT has been a year of good-byes in so many ways. From the murder of former heavyweight boxer Trevor Berbick to the deaths of Tiger Woods’ father Earl and even the great grey chaser Desert Orchid; sport has lost some of its greatest shapers, influences and heroes.

Andre Agassi was unable to muster up one more emotional win to extend his brilliant career.

ANDRE AGASSI’S glittering tennis career came to an emotional end at the US Open as Germany’s Benjamin Becker outgunned the sport’s elder statesman.

Andre Agassi kissed tennis an emotional goodbye at the US Open tonight and immediately looked ahead to a carefree future.

Andre Agassi got an extra day’s rest at the US Open as both the day and night sessions were cancelled due to bad weather.

ANDRE AGASSI admitted he had to overcome the emotional atmosphere at Flushing Meadows as he staved off retirement with a riveting 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (10-8) 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 victory over Romania’s Andrei Pavel.

Andre Agassi staved off retirement with a riveting 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (10-8) 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 victory over Romania’s Andrei Pavel on what turned out to be a late Monday night at the US Open.

Marcos Baghdatis had never won a match on grass until one month ago and had responded to a first round defeat to Romanian wild card Andrei Pavel in Halle by insisting: “Grass is for playing football”.

UNLIKE fellow American Robby Ginepri, Andy Roddick knew what to do with a two-set lead.

Third seed and last year's runner-up Lleyton Hewitt will begin his quest for the Australian Open title with a first round match against Czech Robin Vik.

Andy Roddick will not be defending his title at the $6.56m (€5m) Nasdaq-100 Open.

Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt breathed a massive sigh of relief after battling past American James Blake in the second round of the Australian Open today.

Top seed and defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium became the highest-seeded player at this year’s US Open to lose as she was knocked out by Russia’s Nadia Petrova.

Top seed Roger Federer remains on course to win his third Grand Slam of the year after advancing to the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows thanks to a walkover.

US Open Championship, Flushing Meadows, New York

WIMBLEDON champion Roger Federer took just 46 minutes to beat Tomas Behrend 6-1 6-1 in the first round of the Swiss Open yesterday.

Tim Henman is on course for a quarter-final against world number one Roger Federer at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam after disposing of the Czech Republic’s Tomas Cakl.

THE Australia Day fireworks fizzed and died yesterday as local favourites Lleyton Hewitt and Mark Philippoussis were brought to their knees in the fourth round of the Australian Open.

David Nalbandian took three sets to achieve what Tim Henman (pictured) failed to do in five and beat fellow Argentine Guillermo Canas at the Australian Open.

Second seed Roger Federer and home favourite Lleyton Hewitt remain on collision course at the Australian Open, but for them to meet in the last 16 both will have to overcome teenagers with bright futures.

The seedings for the 2002 Wimbledon Championships have been announced by the All-England Club in London.

Albert Costa survived some nervous moments today against Guillermo Canas to reach the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.

Top seed Lleyton Hewitt and defending champion Gustavo Kuerten have crashed out of the French Open.

Alexandra Stevenson produced a stunning upset against top seed Jennifer Capriati, ousting the Australian and French Open champion in three sets at the adidas International in Sydney.

Tennis fans in England were eagerly awaiting the start of Wimbledon today, with high hopes of serving up some British success.

Tim Henman wrapped up one of his best ever clay court wins as he booked his place in the second round of the Masters Series event in Monte Carlo.

Greg Rusedski has crashed out of the Masters Series tournament in Monte Carlo at the first hurdle after he lost to Romanian Andrei Pavel.

Pete Sampras and Yevgeny Kafelnikov followed Marat Safin out of the Ericsson Masters Series in Miami.

Defending champion Pete Sampras was blasted out of the Masters Series event in Miami by American teenager Andy Roddick.

Spanish ninth seed Juan Carlos Ferrero has become the Australian Open's biggest casualty to date, after losing in five sets in his second round match in Melbourne against local favourite Andrew Ilie.