Andre Agassi (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

        MASON - It's a record week for upsets, and you can include the cooler weather in that. But what this Western & Southern Financial Group Masters should be known for after three days is flag-waving patriotism. Four Americans are in the round of 16, led by ageless wonders Michael Chang and Andre Agassi.

        Just five of 16 seeds are alive, matching the 1971 event for the lowest number of seeded players in the Open Era to make the round of 16. Eight seeds lost in the first round, a Cincinnati record.

        Though Agassi, 31, was an expected presence - the world's No.6 player routed Guillermo Coria 6-0, 6-2 Wednesday - Chang was not.

        The 30-year-old New Jersey native was 2-13 entering the week and ranks No.111 in the world. He rallied for a 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-0 victory Wednesday over Fernando Vicente, following his 6-3, 6-2 upset Tuesday of No.3 Tommy Haas.

Michael Chang (Jeff Swinger photo) | ZOOM |

        “It's a milestone for me, winning two in a row,” Chang said. “It's a step in the right direction.”

        He hadn't won back-to-back matches in a year.

        Chang, in his Open Era-record 15th appearance in Cincinnati, is the tournament's active leader with 41 victories.

        Chang (41-12) is second in career victories here, behind only Stefan Edberg (45-11).

        Agassi said of his rout: “I feel like my game is really coming around.”

AT A GLANCE

Where: ATP Tennis Center, Mason.   Today: 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.   TV: 1-5 p.m., ESPN (live); 7-9 p.m., ESPN2 (live).   Tickets: Available for each session at $24 per session. Call 651-0303 or TicketMaster at 562-4949.   More information: Call (513) 398-2872.

        Other Americans alive: 12th seed Andy Roddick and Taylor Dent.

        Three Americans lost tight three-set matches Wednesday: Pete Sampras to Wayne Arthurs, James Blake to No.8 seed Juan Carlos Ferrero, and Jan-Michael Gambill to Rainer Schuettler.

        The other seeds alive are No.1 Lleyton Hewitt, who hasn't lost a game in two matches; and No. 16 Carlos Moya, who plays Chang today at about 12:30 p.m. on Grandstand Court.

        Hewitt plays Jarkko Nieminen at 11 a.m. on Center Court, followed by Agassi against Thomas Enqvist, the 2000 champion. Roddick plays Wayne Ferreira at 7 p.m. on Center Court.

Tennis Masters Results & Schedule
Sampras knocked out by qualifier
Young Americans replace old guard
Next year's Masters pushed back
Gonzalez gains confidence by beating Henman
Hewitt still hasn't lost a game
Krajicek rebounding from injuries

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