Former world number one Agassi also lost in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros in 2001 and last year.

In another upset, Dutch debutant Martin Verkerk pulled off an extraordinary five-set victory over Spanish fourth seed Carlos Moya to reach semi-finals.

Verkerk's 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 4-6, 8-6 win on Court Suzanne Lenglen set up a semi-final clash with Coria and it was just reward for a performance of grit and resilience that belied the Dutchman's relative inexperience.

Verkerk, ranked 46 and playing in only his third Grand Slam tournament, roared into a two-set lead with some clubbing groundstrokes but double-faulted to gift Moya the third set.

The Spaniard, French Open champion in 1998, took the fourth but 24-year-old Verkerk dug deep to complete a superb victory after three hours and 52 minutes of sapping baseline exchanges.

Playing only his second five-setter at tour level, Verkerk broke decisively at 6-6 in the decider with a beautiful forehand winner down the line.

After serving out for victory, the Dutchman collapsed backwards on to the court, a smile of disbelief on his face.

"It is something amazing to me to beat Carlos Moya in a five-set thriller," he said. "It is unbelievable. It's amazing. I don't know how it happened."

Verkerk is only the fifth man since tennis turned professional in 1968 to reach the semi-finals in his first appearance at Roland Garros.

The last Dutchman to reach the French Open semi-finals was Richard Krajicek in 1993. 

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 2 Sub: 21st Century of tough competitors Yes seniors have to give way to juniors & presently there is stiff competetion in all sports.Nobody can predict especially in Tennis.Gone are those days ... Posted by Capt Ganeshyam Sub: Give Agassi credit to fight it out At least he is trying out and making the best of the situation. Think he has done a good job so far, maybe its time ... Posted by Le Prat