Andre Agassi still has the strokes, says Sorana Cirstea

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Sorana Cirstea couldn’t overcome her aching foot or the powerful and steady serving of Samantha Stosur Saturday afternoon, losing her L.A. Women’s Open semifinal 6-3, 6-2. But Cirstea, a 19-year-old from Romania, was excited to speak about some time she spent training in Las Vegas with Gil Reyes, Andre Agassi’s former trainer, and Darren Cahill, Agassi’s one-time coach.

‘It was 115 degrees or something outdoors,’ Cirstea said. ‘At the beginning I couldn’t breathe. I was actually hitting with Andre. His balls are going so deep and he is playing so well and he is so fit, I think he can still play at this moment. He was trying to tell me a few things, but I was so excited to be on court with him.’

Agassi is married to Cirstea’s tennis idol, Steffi Graf. ‘I remember watching Steffi on TV, so to see her face-to-face was a great thing,’ Cirstea said.

[UPDATE] Click here to see video of Stosur’s post-game meeting with reporters.

-- Diane Pucin

Video: Sorana Cirstea talks about her injury facing Samantha Stosur, Andre Agassi. Credit: Mario Aguirre / Los Angeles Times