Agassi wins Ericsson Tennis

By STEVEN WINE

AP Sports Writer

KEY BISCAYNE (AP) — On the final point of the Ericsson Open, Andre Agassi appeared to be in trouble.

He scrambled into the corner, behind the baseline and under pressure from Jan-Michael Gambill, who was hovering at the net. But Agassi had one more marvelous shot in him: a crosscourt forehand that whizzed past Gambill for a winner.

Game, set, match, and another title for Agassi. He beat an impressed Gambill 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-0 Sunday.

“Andre is maybe the best thinker the game has ever had,” Gambill said. “He knows the angles. He sees shots other guys just don’t.”

Four weeks shy of his 31st birthday, Agassi is playing the best tennis of his life. He has won the three biggest tournaments so far this year — Key Biscayne, Indian Wells two weeks ago and the Australian Open in January. He’s the first man to sweep all three since Pete Sampras in 1994, and he’s a runaway leader in this year’s ATP champions race.

“This is a great point to be at right now,” said Agassi, who heads into the clay-court season hoping to make a run at his second French Open title. “I just hope that I continue to be at my best and make somebody play well to beat me and get a little lucky every now and then.”

Seeded third, Agassi became the first four-time men’s champion at Key Biscayne. The weather for the final was perfect — 80 degrees and sunny, with a light ocean breeze — and Agassi was almost as good.

After surviving a close first set, he dominated every phase, serving well, keeping Gambill away from the net and controlling the baseline rallies to sweep the final nine games. A gracious Gambill raved about his opponent’s ability to keep points going.

“I don’t think anybody in the world could have beaten him today,” Gambill said. “He fielded some balls that I just can’t even fathom how he does it.”

The No. 19-seeded Gambill recovered from a 2-0 deficit, serving well to reach 6-6 in the first set. But he committed two unforced errors in the tiebreaker and Agassi seized the opening. A deft drop volley put him up 4-3, and he smacked a forehand winner and service winner on the final two points to take the set.

From there the rout was on. The last two sets took only an hour.
“Andre is playing as well as he has ever played,” U.S. Davis Cup captain Pat McEnroe said. “He’s so committed to every ball, and he’s getting so many balls back in play.”

Agassi improved to 22-2 this year, his best start since 1995, when he was 29-2. He said he’s a better player than six years ago because he’s a better athlete.

“I’m stronger and faster and move better,” he said. “When I move better, I have more options. And I have a lot more experience to make good decisions with those options.

“A game like mine, I need to think out there. A lot of other players have been at the top with exceptional weapons. I have to do more thinking, probably, than most guys.”

Agassi became the oldest Key Biscayne men’s champion. He also won the title in 1990, 1995 and 1996.

“I believe I can do this for a few more years, but I don’t know,” he said. “I’ve never been 31 before.”

Because Agassi slumped late last year, he’s only third in the 52-week rankings. Marat Safin overtakes Gustavo Kuerten for No. 1 this week, and Gambill climbs to a career-best 16th.

“It’s been a great two weeks,” said Gambill, 23. “I’m not too down about losing to Andre. He really did play good tennis.”

The men and women both staged all-American finals for the first time since the inaugural year of the tournament in 1985. Venus Williams overcame eight match points to edge Jennifer Capriati 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) for the women’s title Saturday.