Agassi takes final curtain call

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.

Agassi exited his 21st consecutive appearance at his home championships at the third-round stage following a 7-5, 6-7, 6-4, 7-5 defeat to the 25-year-old qualifier, bringing a tearful end to an epic final journey at a tournament the American won twice.

It was another gripping encounter, but having needed anti-inflammatory cortisone injections after both his victories earlier in the week, those Herculean efforts in overcoming Andrei Pavel and Marcos Baghdatis had clearly taken their toll.