Agassi v Rafter: Game-by-game

Rafter is in his first semi-final on home territory

Game-by-game analysis as defending champion Andre Agassi beats Pat Rafter 7-5 2-6 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-3 in the semi-final of the Australian Open.

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Fifth set

Rafter receives some more treatment before coming out for the decider. He strikes two powerful winners but Agassi holds.
Agassi 1-0 Rafter

Rafter's problems with cramp are plainly evident but the quality of his volleying helps him hold serve.
Agassi 1-1 Rafter

Agassi easily holds with Rafter's problems being highlighted by his lack of chasing down.
Agassi 2-1 Rafter

The gutsy Rafter goes 30-40 down after two failed volley attempts and loses the first break point.
Agassi 3-1 Rafter

Agassi holds to love against an opponent putting up little resistence.
Agassi 4-1 Rafter

A 21st ace at 30-30 helps Rafter win his service game after being taken to deuce.
Agassi 4-2 Rafter

Agassi has little trouble in moving to within one game of a third Australian Open final.
Agassi 5-2 Rafter

Rafter's reserves see him hold serve as he looks to put in one last ditch effort.
Agassi 5-3 Rafter

It proves fruitless as Agassi takes the match with a service game to love.
Agassi 6-3 Rafter

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Fourth set

Both players return from an extended interval before Agassi serves out a comfortable game. Rafter asks for the trainer at the turn-around.
Agassi 1-0 Rafter

Rafter does not seem troubled as he hold his serve with ease.
Agassi 1-1 Rafter

The server is on top in this set as Agassi loses just one point.
Agassi 2-1 Rafter

Following attention from the trainer, Rafter goes 15-40 but the quality of the Australian's serving takes him to deuce. But Rafter cannot stop Agassi taking a third break point.
Agassi 3-1 Rafter

Agassi consolidates his advantage by confidently holding serve.
Agassi 4-1 Rafter

Rafter is looking increasingly tired and, even though Agassi is looking to seize on his exhaustion, the Australian holds serve.
Agassi 4-2 Rafter

Rafter makes no impression on Agassi's serve.
Agassi 5-2 Rafter

Rafter's suffering looks to be worsening as he puts up little resistance in losing his serve and the fourth set.
Agassi 6-2 Rafter

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Tie-break

Agassi's return goes into the net. 0-1

Agassi levels before taking the lead with an ace. 2-1

A 20th Rafter ace levels and then Agassi strokes into the net. 2-3

A Rafter forehand goes into the net. 3-3

Rafter fails with a return of serve.4-3

Agassi then fails to return a Rafter first serve. 4-4

A serve-volley point puts Rafter ahead.4-5

Rafter the achieves a mini-break and two set points when Agassi finds the net.4-6

Rafter is long with a return of serve.5-6

He takes the set on his serve when Agassi fails to keep a return in play.5-7

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Third set

Rafter is showing no signs of easing up as he takes the opening game on serve.
Agassi 0-1 Rafter

Two powerful returns put Rafter 15-30 ahead on his way to taking Agassi to deuce. But Agassi handles the pressure and holds.
Agassi 1-1 Rafter

Rafter goes 15-40 down and Rafter shows his resolve by taking the game to deuce with two aces on the trot. Another ace on advantage gives him the game.
Agassi 1-2 Rafter

Agassi comfotably holds serve as he starts to come back into the match.
Agassi 2-2 Rafter

A double fault puts Rafter 15-30 down but the Australian responds with an ace on his way to claiming the game.
Agassi 2-3 Rafter

Agassi gifts Rafter the first point after a double fault but that is the only point he loses in levelling.
Agassi 3-3 Rafter

Rafter is similary comfortable as he holds his serve.
Agassi 3-4 Rafter

Agassi lets a return of serve go and it falls in as Rafter takes the score to deuce after being 40-15 down. But Agassi safely negotiates the game.
Agassi 4-4 Rafter

A rafter double fault puts him 15-30 down before two successive aces get him out of trouble.
Agassi 4-5 Rafter

Serving to save the set, Agassi wins the game to love.
Agassi 5-5 Rafter

Rafter increases his ace count on the way to powerfully holding serve.
Agassi 5-6 Rafter

The accuracy of Agassi's ground strokes help him take the set into a tie-break.
Agassi 6-6 Rafter

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Second set

Rafter is taken to deuce after a cross-court Agassi backhand but holds serve.
Agassi 0-1 Rafter

A second serve at 30-30 helps Rafter to his first break point which he fails to take with a narrowly long forehand return. Rafter makes a determined effort to break but Agassi holds on.
Agassi 1-1 Rafter

R after then loses just one point after an authoritative service game.
Agassi 1-2 Rafter

Rafter continues to pressure the Agassi serve and moves 0-40 up and takes the first of three break points courtesy of a double fault by the American.
Agassi 1-3 Rafter

Rafter consolidates his break by holding serve as he is now playing with more aggression.
Agassi 1-4 Rafter

After losing his last service game, Agassi holds to love.
Agassi 2-4 Rafter

Rafter responds with an equally emphatic service game as he loses just one point.
Agassi 2-5 Rafter

A fortunate return by the now dominant Rafter gives him set point only for Agassi to serve an ace. But Rafter eans another set point and takes it with a spectacular cross-court forehand at full stretch.
Agassi 2-6 Rafter

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First set:

Rafter opens the serving and starts with a double fault before two successive aces. An Agassi pass down the line helps take the score to deuce but Rafter closes out the game.
Agassi 0-1 Rafter

Agassi has a more comfortable first service game as he levels.
Agassi 1-1 Rafter

A scorching cross-court pass by Agassi is the only point he wins as Rafter takes his ace tally to six.
Agassi 1-2 Rafter

Rafter wins a length rally with an perfectly executed lob to take the score to 15-15. He then shows his disappointment at a line call before Agassi loses just one point on his serve.
Agassi 2-2 Rafter

Agassi takes an awkward-looking fall but is okay. He gets up to level at 30-30 courtesy of two forehand shots but Rafter safely negotiates any danger.
Agassi 2-3 Rafter

Rafter is failing to have much impact on the Agassi serve as the American again takes the game with ease.
Agassi 3-3 Rafter

Rafter serves his second double fault which brings Agassi level on 30-30. Agassi is then surprisingly long with a forehand and Rafter moves back in front.
Agassi 3-4 Rafter

A winning lob give Rafter the first point on Agassi's serve but the American levels. He is taken to deuce but claims the game.
Agassi 4-4 Rafter

Agassi takes the score to 30-40 to earn the first break point of the match. Rafter responds to take the score to deuce and comes through another break point to hold serve.
Agassi 4-5 Rafter

Serving to save the set, Agassi takes the game from 40-30 up.
Agassi 5-5 Rafter

The first break of serve. Agassi wins the first point and then Rafter serves a double fault in going 30-40 down. A third break point for Agassi, he takes it after a Rafter half-volley is long.
Agassi 6-5 Rafter

Agassi hold serve to love in claiming the first set.
Agassi 7-5 Rafter