Andre’s road runs through a Moroccan

Stephen Wade

Friday, June 27, 2003 | 9:27 a.m.

WIMBLEDON, England -- Younes El Aynaoui speaks six languages.

Now if he can just translate his stylish game to grass, Andre Agassi could be in trouble.

Agassi is 4-0 against El Aynaoui, a Moroccan, who has reached a couple of Grand Slam quarterfinals.

They've never played on grass, but the last time they met three months ago in Key Biscayne, Fla., Agassi trudged through a difficult three-set match to beat him.

"He gives me a hard time every time," Agassi said. "He's a talented player. The guy is a great player to watch and a tough player to play against."

Agassi, the second seed, dominated from the baseline to beat Lars Burgsmuller 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the second round Thursday. Agassi had just 14 unforced errors and won points 11 of the 12 times he came to the net.

That's the kind of play he'll need against El Aynaoui.

There were just enough big points against Burgsmuller to sharpen Agassi's game, but not too many as he aims at a few more records.

An eight-time Grand Slam champion, Agassi is 33, the oldest man in the tournament. He's also the oldest man ever ranked No. 1. If he matches this title to the one he claimed 11 years ago, that would be a record for the largest gap between championships for a man at Wimbledon.

"It feels like a lifetime ago since I won, that's for sure," Agassi said. "If I won again, it would mean a lot.

"You want to make sure your game is at its best for when you need it the most. You never know when that match happens."

As three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker put it: "A good horse is going to jump as high as they need to. Andre is doing that."

The 27th-seeded El Aynaoui beat Nicolas Massu of Chile 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 to reach the third round. He's been this far at Wimbledon twice before and is looking for a breakthrough.

Agassi took a shocking exit last year in the second round. And he knows going out in the third this time is possible, particularly if El Aynaoui masters the grass.

"Grass is a particular surface, and certain areas of your game need to be comfortable out there," Agassi said. "You never know how weapons sort of apply or don't apply."

Agassi is second-seeded and the British bookmakers' No. 2 pick behind fellow American Andy Roddick. Becker suggested Agassi had the tennis age of a slightly younger man because for several years he played few matches and almost gave up the game.

"Ultimately that's less wear and tear on your body," Agassi acknowledged. "But I still -- when I'm off the court -- feel old. When I'm on the court I feel a little better.

"At this stage of my career, it's the body. The body has to be there. You know, there's only so far you can will yourself if you're not feeling up to standard physically."