Andre Agassi paid tribute to his vanquished opponent Nicolas Escude after toiling to a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over the Frenchman in the third round of the Australian Open on Friday.
The number two seed admitted he was relieved to come through his first real test of the tournament and keep alive his dream of becoming the first overseas male player to win four singles titles in Melbourne.
"I thought Nicolas was hitting the ball really well, timing it superbly on the returns (and) putting me under a lot of pressure," said the American, who staved off 16 break points against an inspired Escude.
"He's not a guy that you ever want near you (in the draw). He's dangerous. He can put his destiny in his own hands."
The 32-year-old Agassi, who had demolished South Korean Lee Hyung-taik 6-1, 6-0, 6-0 in the previous round, was in real danger of being taken to a fifth set by Escude when he trailed 3-1 in the fourth in blistering conditions at the Rod Laver Arena.
But he broke back thanks to a wild mid-court shot from Escude in the fifth game and secured the crucial break in the ninth to go up 5-4 after forcing the number 29 seed to drive a backhand into the net.
"You live by the sword and you die by the sword. He plays dangerously, riskily. He's going to hit his shots and he's going to miss them," said Agassi, champion here in 1995, 2000 and 2001.
"I needed to step up and play at his level -- or better. I played the big points as well as I could have hoped to."
In contrast to Escude, Agassi converted seven out of 11 break points before finally closing out proceedings with a thumping forehand down the line on his second match point.
He now faces Argentine Guillermo Coria in the last 16 on Sunday.
"My experience has always taught me in these Grand Slams that you need to play well at the right time. Today I was happy to get through it more than anything," said Agassi, who is chasing an eighth Grand Slam singles title.
Asked if he was worried about peaking too soon, Agassi said: "Maybe my second-round match was (a case of) playing better than I needed to. Today was a day that was a pretty dangerous one for me. I needed to play well."
