Andreev Set for Dream Match with Andre

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Before his first practice session at this year's Stella Artois Championships on Sunday, Russia's Igor Andreev had never played on grass. Now the 20-year-old from Moscow is preparing to face his boyhood idol in Andre Agassi in the second round, having defeated French teenager Richard Gasquet on Monday.

"It will be amazing to play him," said Andreev. "It's been my dream all my life. I will need some time to adjust to the grass because I've never played on it before, but I think I can adapt my game and I'm looking forward to playing here. This is my first time in London, so I'm excited about it."

Andreev goes into the match full of confidence after his sensational straight sets victory over defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero in the second round at Roland Garros two weeks ago.

"It was another dream come true, to play on the Center Court and to beat the guy who won the tournament last year," said Andreev. "It was the biggest win of my career so far, and it was an unforgettable feeling."

As a 15-year-old, Andreev made the difficult decision of moving from his home in Moscow to Valencia, Spain, and the Russian believes it has been the perfect career move. "In Spain, I understand the coach, I understand what I have to do," said Andreev. "I have good guys to practice with, the climate is incredible all the year and I think it's the best place for me to be and work on my tennis."

Andreev enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2003, the year in which he turned professional and made the jump from Challengers to the ATP circuit. He made his ATP debut in Bucharest as a qualifier and reached the second round after defeating top seed Nikolay Davydenko. In his hometown of Moscow last October, he defeated the top seed Sjeng Schalken in the first round en route to his first ATP quarterfinal (l. to Mathieu in three sets).

He then began this season by reaching the quarterfinals in Chennai before losing to eventual finalist Paradorn Srichaphan, and in February made his Davis Cup debut for Russia against Belarus in the first round of the World Group, defeating Vladimir Voltchkov (retired) before losing to Max Mirnyi. In March, he returned to the Challenger circuit and reached the semifinals in Boca Raton (l. to Melzer) before losing his next five matches on the ATP circuit - four of which came on clay before reaching the second round in St. Poelten, where he lost to Melzer again.

Talking about making the adjustment from Challengers to the ATP circuit, he added: "You have to play better every time. The first part of the year, I didn't do so well because the adjustment was another level, the guys are so difficult to beat, and it took me some time to adjust and find my game at that level. But now I have the confidence to improve."

With that confidence, and Agassi searching for his first win since March, don't be surprised to see this young Russian fulfill another dream at the Stella Artois Championships this week.

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