Awesome Agassi on course for Federer showdown

FOUR-TIME champion Andre Agassi used lobs and stinging passes to hold off Taylor Dent 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 yesterday, reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open and moving closer to a showdown with Roger Federer.

Showing no ill effects from a torn tendon just before the season's opening Grand Slam tournament, Agassi committed only six unforced errors none in the final set.

The 29th-seeded Dent rushed the net on 136 of the 201 points but constantly found himself lunging and diving for shots, and winning only 51% of the forays. The packed centre court roared in approval of the strong performance by both players.