An extraordinary match, in which Bill Clinton of all people seemed to make the difference, ended in a 1-6 6-1 6-1 6-3 win for Sebastien Grosjean over Andre Agassi.

Clinton arrived at the start of the second set, and seemed to trigger a collapse in Agassi, who barely won a game under the gaze of the former president of the USA.

Towards the end, Agassi seemed to be in a hurry to get the match over, and he was in a similar mood in the news conference which followed.

But Agassi was not making excuses, and he was not about to put his defeat down to the presence of Clinton.

"I didn't notice him at all," said Agassi, who was also full of praise for Grosjean.

"I thought he played really well.

"His speed puts a lot of pressure on you - you have to hit not just quality shots, but a number of them.

"He was hitting winners with his forehand and he wasn't missing with his backhand."

The third seed did say that he thought the conditions did not help, but that it was the same for both players.

"It was tough out there, the wind was moving around and he hit the ball real well - he just hit the ball better than me."

And Grosjean's gameplan may have been a more important factor than the presence of someone Agassi claimed not to have seen.

"I tried to vary the pace because I know he doesn't like that. I played long shots, short shots, slice shots. You mustn't hesitate on his forehand and I tried to diversify my shots."

Grosjean reached his first Grand Slam semi-final at this year's Australian Open, but he was beaten when in command against his fellow countryman Arnaud Clement.

He claims that just reaching the semi-finals in Melbourne has given him renewed confidence in his ability.

That will be tested to the full on Friday when he meets clay court specialist Alex Corretja for a place in the final of his home Grand Slam.