Woodruff sends U.S. past Zimbabwe in Davis Cup; Agassi assists

Andre Selsky

Sunday, Feb. 6, 2000 | 9:20 a.m.

HARARE, Zimbabwe - The United States stayed alive in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with Chris Woodruff winning the final match that gave John McEnroe a victory in his first test as American captain.

Woodruff, facing immense pressure as a Davis Cup rookie, defeated Wayne Black 6-3, 6-7 (2) 6-2, 6-4 to lead the United States to a 3-2 victory in the first round.

A weakened Andre Agassi did his part earlier in the day, beating the other Black brother - Byron Black - 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (4) that tied the best-of-5 series.

That set the stage for Woodruff, who looked stiff and shaken in his opening singles loss on Friday. But he responded when he had to, just as McEnroe hoped he would.

The victory sent the United States to the second round of the Davis Cup.

The Americans faced a difficult road after Alex O'Brien and Rick Leach lost the doubles to Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett.

They had Agassi in the opening singles Sunday, and no one in the world is playing better tennis at the moment. But while that victory seemed secure, Woodruff remained the big question mark.

"I'm going to have to put on my thinking cap," McEnroe said on Saturday, wondering how he could motivate Woodruff for such a pressurized match.

But even that one sure thing - Agassi's victory on Sunday - did not come easily.

Agassi was distraught with altitude sickness and dehydration. After winning a shot, he vomited into a box behind a line judge's spot.

Harare's near 4,000-foot altitude is the highest Agassi has ever competed in. He arrived in Harare last Monday, a day after winning the Australian Open.

He left the court at the City Sports Center following his victory without his trademark bows to the crowd.

But for all his debilitated state, Agassi was still able to put his powerful ground strokes good use in sweeping Zimbabwe's top-ranked player.

He also took some of the steam out of the crowd. What had been a raucous crowd on Saturday, when Zimbabwe won its doubles in five sets, was more subdued Sunday.

This was Agassi's second singles victory of the series. On Friday, he beat Wayne Black.

He was clearly the strength of an American team that was unable to draw on Pete Sampras, who hurt his hip in the Australian Open, and Todd Martin, who was sick.