Chang used to be among highly seeded players, reaching No. 2 in the rankings. He would have made it to No. 1 had he beaten Sampras in the 1996 US Open final.
But now, at 31, he's a step slower, and can't get to the shots he used to. He won just two of 12 matches this year.
Still, Chang showed plenty of fire Tuesday. He rocked back on his heels and pumped his arms repeatedly after a backhand passing winner down the line in the first game of the second set against Gonzalez. He whipped his racket behind his back on the run to win one exchange, and yelled, "Yes!" when a second straight double-fault by Gonzalez landed wide to hand Chang the third set.
Agassi, meanwhile, looks to be on top of his game.
Maybe it's because of his rigorous training, including plenty of running up hills. Perhaps it's his style of play. Or it simply could be that he saved some energy during a midcareer crisis, when he tumbled out of the top 100 and wound up resorting to minor league tournaments to work his way back.
Regardless, Agassi is outlasting other members of his age group -- and outplaying most of the younger set, too. He's 40-7 in 2003 with four titles, including his eighth major in January at the Australian Open, tying for sixth most in history.
Never before had a man his age risen to No. 1 in the ATP Tour computer rankings.
"For me, I have to answer that question a lot: `Is this still what I want to be doing?' I ask it every day, one way or another," Agassi said. "I have a strong sense of obligation to this game for everything it's given to me.''
He watched the ceremony honoring Sampras on television Monday night, and walked out on court at Arthur Ashe Stadium right after Chang departed.
Against Corretja, twice a French Open finalist, Agassi crafted a 36-16 edge in winners. Agassi faced just three break points, saving each -- one with a running forehand winner, and two when the Spaniard shanked shots on a windy afternoon.
Corretja was ranked No. 2 in 1999, but now is 102nd, and he couldn't do much to slow Agassi.
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