Agassi on course for Slam record

A genuine Grand Slam, winning all four tournaments in the same year, has not been achieved since Australian Rod Laver carried all before him in 1969.

Americans traditionally find the French Open, played on clay, the most elusive of the four and Agassi8217;s semifinal is the best showing for them since Sampras reached the same stage in 1996.

The French Open is the one blot on an otherwise brilliant Sampras copybook and now Agassi, often in his shadow, has the chance for once to outdo him.

Agassi, who reached successive finals at Roland Garros in 1990 and 1991, won Wimbledon in 1992, the USOpen in 1994 an the Australian Open in 1995.

He has suffered from shoulder trouble over the last few years but has been following a course of treatment that has allowed him to return to near his best form again.

8220;I was just two days short of not coming here,8221; Agassi said.

8220;It feels quite amazing, I8217;m thrilled,8221; he said at finding himself in the Paris semifinals.

Agassi said that while clay was not his best surface he believes he has the shots to win in Paris and explained how he adapts his game for it.

8220;It8217;s a discipline of shot selection. As the ball jumps higher, I expect longer rallies,8221; he said.

8220;If the rally is longer than 12 shots or shorter than eight, something is not right. I have a window of eight to 12 shots,8221; he said, adding the average was between four and six shots on other surfaces.

The 13th seed also said luck had played its part, not least when he came back from two sets to one and 4-1 down to France8217;s Arnaud Clement in the second round. 8220;That8217;s pretty close to anexit,8221; he said.