Rain washes out play at US Open

NEW YORK, Sep 3(Reuters) Andre Agassi's third-round match with German Benjamin Becker will have to wait after rain forced the cancellation of all US Open matches yesterday.

Agassi, 36, playing the final tournament of his illustrious 21-year career, was scheduled to face Becker on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court before a national television audience.

The cancellation of play forced the match back to today at 11 am (1500 GMT).

Forecasters said the rain should subside by today.

''There are 254 singles matches that I'm sure, as most of you know, get played throughout a Grand Slam; 196 of those matches have been completed,'' Arlen Kantarian, chief executive of pro tennis at the USTA, told reporters.

''We'll have 58 left to play. We're in good shape. It's been a tough day, but we are one day behind.

''We expect to be fully caught up by the end of the day tomorrow (Sunday),'' he said, adding that the USTA would also feel the financial impact of the washouts.

The evening session on Friday was also wiped out by rain.

Following Agassi on the stadium court today will be American Andy Roddick, who meets Spain's Fernando Verdasco, and former champion Serena Williams who is scheduled to play Ana Ivanovic.

World number one Roger Federer and second-ranked Rafael Nadal are due to play their third-round matches today night, as will women's third seed Maria Sharapova.

Agassi, whose gruelling five-set victory over number eight seed Marcos Baghdatis on Thursday thrilled the capacity crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, will play again on Monday should he defeat Becker, a 25-year-old qualifier.

The two-times Open champion is suffering from a bad back and playing two consecutive days could be problematic for the Las Vegas showman.

If Agassi defeats Becker, he will play either Roddick or Verdasco in the fourth round.

REUTERS DH RK0925