Agassi-inspired Blake goes through

James Blake used a little inspiration from Andre Agassi to beat Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili in the US Open second round.

Blake dipped into the Agassi style bible and emerged in a 1980s-style bandana, pink-striped white shirt and black shorts with pink cycling pants underneath in tribute to the soon-to-retire legend.

It paid dividends as he won in straight sets, overcoming a late rally from his opponent to win 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7/5).

“It was an idea I came up with at Wimbledon,” Blake said of his homage to Agassi. “I was sitting and watching his last match with [Rafael] Nadal, realised the emotion that was welling up it seemed in everyone, just thinking I wish there was something we could do, a way to show our support.

“So it was just to show something like that, that everyone recognises where he came from, how unique he was in his younger years, how much of a legend he still is.”

Blake, though, has called an end to the idea.

“That was it,” he said. “It was a one-time thing. I’ll be right back to the marketable Nike gear again the next time.”

American Vincent Spadea set up a third-round clash with defending champion Roger Federer after enjoying a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 win over Wimbledon semi-finalist Jonas Bjorkman, the 29th seed from Sweden.

In the same quarter of the draw, number 12 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic and number 23 Dmitry Tursunov won to set up a third-round meeting.

Spanish veteran Carlos Moya beat Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu in straight sets and awaits fifth-seeded American Blake.

Seventh seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia won the first set against Nicolas Mahut 6-0 when the Frenchman retired with an abdominal strain.

Davydenko now faces Lukasz Kubot of Poland, who outlasted Israeli Noam Okun in five sets in a matchup of qualifiers.

A straight sets victory for 10th seed Fernando Gonzalez of Chile over Czech Jan Hajek set up a meeting with Britain’s Andy Murray.

Also setting up a third-round encounter were number 14 Tommy Haas of Germany and number 18 Robby Ginepri of the US.

Number 21 Gaston Gaudio, who came back from a set down to beat American wild card Sam Querrey, awaits Marc Gicquel of France, who upset 16th seed and 2003 finalist Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain in straight sets.

The night session was postponed due to rain, which is expected to soak the area for at least 24 hours.

The inclement weather leaves the status of the match between number four David Nalbandian of Argentina and unseeded 2000 champion Marat Safin of Russia yet to be determined.