U.S. Davis Cup Team Completes Sweep of Italy Despite Agassi’s Withdrawal

Even without Andre Agassi, the United States completed a 5-0 sweep of Italy in its Davis Cup quarterfinal match. The U.S. team wrapped up a victory on Saturday when it took a 3-0 lead.

Agassi withdrew because of a “lower-back strain,” and U.S. captain Tom Gullikson insisted the injury was legitimate.

Agassi’s replacement, Jared Palmer, defeated Renzo Furlan, 6-4, 6-3, after Pete Sampras disposed of Andre Gaudenzi, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

Sampras later said it was a bad rule that such “dead rubber matches” are required and that players risk injuries. But he said he had fun playing Sunday’s match.

After the U.S. team took a 3-0 lead in a Davis Cup match against the Bahamas in 1993, Agassi failed to play the final day and was fined $2,500.