Agassi farewell party starts at the Open

The Andre Agassi farewell party begins at the US Open on Monday and amid the anticipation is a lingering question: how long will the celebration last?

The 36-year-old Agassi will bid adieu to the tour after the Open setting the stage for an emotional tide of support not seen since Jimmy Connors' stirring 1991 run to the semi-finals at the age of 39.

But Agassi's path to a Hollywood ending is full of bumps and hurdles. He reached the final last year but odds are against a repeat performance.

Agassi opens against Andrei Pavel, a 32-year-old Romanian ranked 76th in the world who has a 1-5 career record against the Las Vegas showman.

Agassi's record is just 8-7 this year, however, and chronic back problems make him vulnerable to any player these days.

He also starts a little rusty, having played no competitive tennis since a first-round defeat by Andrea Stoppini in Washington a month ago.

"As of right now, I feel good," Agassi said. "I have my good days and my not-so-good days. So real similar to all of us."

Other top players in action on Monday include number two seed Justine Henin-Hardenne against Italy's Maria Elena Camerin, and fourth seed

On the men's side, third seed Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia is up against Spain's Feliciano Lopez and number nine Andy Roddick takes on Florent Serra of Spain.

But clearly the marquee match will be Agassi's encounter with Pavel on Monday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The twice US Open winner will be cheered wildly each time he steps on the court.

Should he survive the Pavel match, the unseeded Agassi will face eighth seed Marcos Baghdatis, the accomplished 21-year-old runner-up to Roger Federer in the Australian Open.

Agassi said he expected his 21st consecutive appearance at Flushing Meadows to be special.

"Well, I think it's fair for me to say after playing this event 20 consecutive times, this being my 21st, my 21st time is really going to end up being like my first time because I've never been here as my last.

"So it will be emotional."

Twice US Open champion Serena Williams, like Agassi, is unseeded here and faces a tough draw. The former world number one said she would miss Agassi's "amazing spirit."

"He's had such a positive influence on players' attitudes," she said. "He's also had a great style. The game is going to miss him."