Agassi slams Coria after loss

Teen sensation Nadal, going for his fifth singles title this year, battled back from a set down to beat Spanish compatriot David Ferrer 4-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Agassi was upset that Coria insisted one of his borderline returns in the first set was definitely out, even before the ball had touched the floor.

“He shook his finger before the ball bounced and then he circles it (the mark) as if it was obviously out and starts walking back,” said the sixth seed, a winner here in 2002.

“I understand making a mistake, but I don’t understand suggesting that when it’s that close, that it’s clearly out.

“It was an unreasonable response and one I didn’t appreciate at all.

“If you’re not sure, that’s what the umpire is there for. It’s better to be not sure — that’s okay, we can live with that — but to act like it’s sure when it’s obviously close is unacceptable behaviour.”

Coria, who held two match points in last year’s French Open final only to lose to Gaston Gaudio, admitted his nerves were jangling when Agassi stormed 5-2 ahead in the second set.

“I was worried, but then I started to play like I did in the first set,” said the 23-year-old Coria. “I knew that if I just kept my serve I could break him.”

Coria insisted that even with 12 years on Agassi, the veteran American proved a tough opponent.

“Every year you think it’s going to be his last and he comes back stronger than ever,” he said.