Milestone victory

Agassi wins record fifth Nasdaq-100 Open title

Andre Agassi won $456,000 for his 51st career title and his second this year. AP

KEY BISCAYNE, Florida (AP) -- American Andre Agassi won the Key Biscayne event for a record fifth time Sunday, beating Swiss Roger Federer 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in the final of the Nasdaq-100 Open.

Agassi, 31, was also the champion in 1990, 1995, 1996 and 2001. The only other player to win five titles was his wife, Steffi Graf.

"I've just always loved coming here and playing here over the years," Agassi said. "I've had some disappointing weeks here, but there have been about five special ones I'll never forget. I love it here. I definitely look forward to coming back next year."

Agassi also earned his 700th career victory, a milestone achieved by only eight other men.

Under sunny skies, Agassi cooled off one of the hottest players in tennis. The 12th-seeded Federer has won 23 matches this year, the most on the ATP Tour, and he beat No. 1 Australian Lleyton Hewitt in the semifinals.

But with a workmanlike effort, Agassi dominated early and withstood a late charge by Federer, who was up a service break in the fourth set. Agassi broke back for 4-4, then broke again on championship point when Federer put a forehand into the net.

For two sets the 20-year-old Federer looked as though he was playing in his first Tennis Masters Series final, which he was. He hadn't lost a set or his serve coming into the match, but those streaks didn't last long.

After falling behind 2-0, Agassi broke Federer three times in the first set, repeatedly ripping returns that had the Swiss youngster on his heels -- if he reached them at all. One forehand by Federer landed in the sixth row.

Federer, best known for ending Pete Sampras' 31-match Wimbledon winning streak last year, rarely reached the net and struggled early with an erratic serve and backhand.

But he settled down in the third set, losing only three points on his serve. When he took a 4-2 lead in the fourth set, it looked as though the match might become a test of stamina on the sweltering hardcourt.

Agassi evened the set with a break in the eighth game, then lost only two points in the final two games.

"Once I got the break back, you can see the daylight at the end of the tunnel," he said.

Agassi won $456,000 for his 51st career title and his second this year. He won at Scottsdale in early March.

Federer, who received $240,000, is 17-5 against Americans but 0-3 against Agassi.

 

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