By Smashshot Staff
March 30 2002

Andre Agassi is through to the Nasdaq-100 Open final after Marcelo Rios retired with a leg injury. Agassi lost the first set 7-6 (9-7) and won the second 6-4. But during the ensuing changeover, Rios briefly received treatment from a trainer, then retired and shook Agassi's hand.

"I was very surprised," Agassi said. "The last thing you're expecting is for the match to come to kind of an abrupt end."

Details of the Chilean's injury were not immediately announced, but he stepped on the court with a light bandage around his right leg just below the knee, and then had heavier tape applied by the trainer.

Agassi let the first set slip away. He converted only one of nine break points and was wide with a backhand when he held a set point in the tiebreaker at 6-5.

Agassi failed on seven more break-point chances in the second set before converting in the final game, when Rios pushed a forehand wide. Moments later, the match was over.

"You can't run out the clock," Agassi said. "You've got to finish it off. This was one of those days when I just hung in there long enough."

Agassi faces the winner of Lleyton Hewitt's match with Roger Federer.