New York ? Andre Agassi, 36 years old and burdened by a bad back, held up better than the kid across the net in a thriller that will be talked about for years.

Buoyed by a cortisone injection, along with a raucous, sellout crowd that boosted his spirits when things suddenly looked bleak as could be, Agassi extended his career for at least one more match by beating eighth-seeded Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus, 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 7-5, at the U.S. Open.

They traded stinging strokes for nearly four hours as Thursday night became Friday, and it was the 21-year-old Baghdatis who broke down physically, his body contorted by cramps in both thighs during an eight-deuce, four-break-point game that Agassi eventually held to lead 5-4 in the fifth. Later, Baghdatis used the chair umpire’s stand to stretch his aching legs.

And there was Agassi, still hustling to reach seemingly unreachable shots, responding with winners and skipping out to the baseline to start games at his record 21st consecutive Open – one for each year of Baghdatis’ life.

When it was over, they shook hands at the net, then embraced. And Agassi was quick to thank the 23,700 or so of his closest friends who sure are enjoying quite a ride at Flushing Meadows.

“Tonight has been another example of moments you’re not guaranteed in life,” Agassi said.

Now comes this third-round matchup: Agassi vs. Becker. A classic right? Well, not quite. It’s Benjamin Becker (no relation to Boris), a 25-year-old qualifier from Germany who’s ranked 112th and has won zero tour titles. Becker knocked off No. 30 Sebastien Grosjean in straight sets.