of recent origin YORK -- From the D...

of recent origin YORK -- From the Day-Glo spandex tights to the furious pink vertical bars on his shirt to the white bandanna wrapped atop his head, James Blake paid tribute to Andre Agassi at the U unclose on Friday.

Blake donned the sort of garish general impression Mr. Image Is Everything dared to wear more than a decade ago and, fortunately for Blake, his game apply the minded better than his garb in a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (5) victory through Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia in the secondary round.

"I just wanted to do it formerly I know Andre, how he probably doesn't want a ton of fanfare," said Blake, who got Agassi's OK for the outfit. "Andre knows we all do care about him, we all appreciate everything he's done. I think the statement was made. Now it's back to business at hand."

Agassi is playing the final tournament of his career at the unclose After winning a five-set thriller against Marcos Baghdatis that stretched from Thursday night into Friday, Agassi got an injection of anti-inflammatory medication at his tavern the second shot he has taken as he tries to push his bad back and 36-year-old carcass as far as they'll move

At No. 5 Blake has his highest seeding at any Grand Slam tournament, and the top placement for any American. Roddick, nearest at No. 9, is single in kind win away from a possible fourth-round match against Agassi. Four other U men were in action Friday, and No. 18 Robby Ginepri mov into the third globular by defeating fellow American Paul Goldstein in straight plants

Unseed Vince Spadea knocked against No. 29 Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden, a Wimbledon semifinalist this year, if it be not that 18-year-old wild card Sam Querrey missed to 2004 French Open champion Gaston Gaudio.

Spadea's nearest match comes against No. 1 Roger Federer the two- time defending champion who amazed himself and his adverse Tim Henman, by swatting an on-the-move, through-the-legs discharge during a 6- 3, 6-4 7-5 victory.

Second-seed Justine Henin-Hardenne overcame one early problems to eliminate No. 28 Ai Sugiyama 4-6 6-1 6-0

Night matches involving Lindsay Davenport, and Marat Safin v David Nalbandian, were postpon because of rain. More rain was forecast for today, which might mean an extra day to cessation for Agassi, who has already been in succession court for more than seven hours throughout two matches.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

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