Tennis: Rafter rolls while Agassi limps out of Lyon semis

Rafter could have reasonably been expecting to face Andre Agassi for the top prize at the Palais des Sports on Sunday. But that all-star scenario was tossed out when Agassi had to retire after losing 3-6 in the first set of his own semi-final.

The 30-year-old American, ailing with a hip flexor problem which delivered him a sharp pain near the start of the match against Frenchman Arnaud Clement, could also face trouble for next week.

Agassi is due to defend his title at the last Masters Series event of the season at Paris Bercy.

"I want to play in Paris if possible, but I don't know what's going on," said Agassi. "If I can pick up where I left off last year, it would be great. I hope this thing ends soon."

Agassi made his comeback to tennis two months after Clement beat him in the second round of the U.S. Open. The American won a round at the Stuttgart Masters last week.

"I've been dealing with the tightness for a few weeks, but this was the first time I've had sharp pain," said the five-time Grand Slam champion. "I'm going to Paris for some tests and exams. I didn't want to make it worse, but I might have already done so. I don't know exactly what problem is," he added.

Rafter was untroubled as he won his fourth match without a defeat against Arazi of Morocco, who was treated as a local by french tennis fans. The 27-year-old Australian got a break in the first set to clinch it, then moved into early command in the second.

He finished with two aces and a service winner to gain a chance at his first crown since winning on grass in Holland in June. Rafter has not compromised his serve-and-volley principles this week - and the strategy has paid off nicely. "This year I've done a few things differently. It seems to have been working and I've been pretty happy with everything in my game," he said.

Clement won his only previous meeting with Rafter at the first-round here three years ago. A disappointed Agassi said that he had been dealing with tightness in his hip for a few weeks. Lyon was only his second tournament since losing to Clement in the second round of the U.S. Open in late August.

Agassi had called for Danish trainer Per Bastholt after the third and seventh games. He rallied to come back from a break down, even saving a set point with an ace.

But a game later, Clement took the set and Agassi walked over to shake hands and call it quits. Agassi is seeded eighth at Paris and like all seeds, does not begin play until the second round. The extra time might prove useful if he can heal.

Agassi suffered the hip worry during a sliding fall on the grass at Queen's club priot to Wimbledon. dpa bs jb 111649 GMT Nov 00

(dpa)