|  | | Andre Agassi improved to 3-2 lifetime against Arnaud Clement of France by beating him in the Aussie Open final. |
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Andre Agassi no longer feels the
need to be flashy. He wore a bland black and white outfit to work
Sunday, then played tennis that was smart and steady rather than
spectacular.
The approach worked. Agassi won his third Australian Open title
by dominating a baseline battle with surprise finalist Arnaud
Clement 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
"I was down here with a purpose," Agassi said. "It was great
for it to turn out the way it did."
The Grand Slam tournament title is his seventh, including four
since he turned 29 two years ago.
"I've had those years where tennis hasn't been the top
priority," he said. "There can be some regrets there, but I think
that has saved me for the long run. I think my best tennis can
still be ahead of me."
When Agassi cracked a backhand winner on the first championship
point, he doffed his cap, shook hands with Clement, raised his
fists and blew a kiss to his girlfriend, Steffi Graf. Then Agassi
responded to a standing ovation with his customary bow to the four
sides of the stadium.
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ANDRE AGASSI
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Agassi remains in 10th place in the list of Open Era (since
1968) titles won, now just one title behind Australia's Rod
Laver.
1. Jimmy Connors (U.S.) - 109
2. Ivan Lendl (Czechoslovakia) - 94
3. John McEnroe (U.S.) - 77
4. Pete Sampras (U.S.) - 63
5. Bjorn Borg (Sweden) - 62
Guillermo Vilas (Argentina) - 62
7. Ilie Nastase (Romania) - 57
8. Boris Becker (Germany) - 49
9. Rod Laver (Australia) - 47
10. Andre Agassi (U.S.) - 46
Age: 30
Lives: Las Vegas
Plays: Right-handed, double-handed backhand
Grand Slam titles: Six (Australian Open 1995, 2000; French Open
1999; Wimbledon 1992; U.S. Open 1994, 1999)
Australian Open record:2001 - Champion 2000-Champion, 1999-Fourth round,
1998-Fourth round, 1996-Semifinals, 1995-Champion
Career titles: 46
How Agassi got there:
First: Jiri Vanek 6-0, 7-5, 6-3
Second: Paul Goldstein 6-1, 6-3, 6-1
Third: David Prinosil 7-6, 5-0 ret.
Fourth: Andrew Ilie 6-7, 6-3, 6-0, 6-3
Quarter: Todd Martin 7-5, 6-3, 6-4
Semi: P. Rafter 7-5, 2-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3
Final: Clement Arnaud 6-4, 6-2, 6-2
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Agassi, the defending champion, won a major tournament in
back-to-back years for the first time. He was also the Australian
Open champion in 1995.
"You never know when the last time you're going to be here
is," Agassi said during the trophy ceremony. "It never ceases to
be overwhelming. All the work and all the training that goes into
putting yourself in this position is difficult and hard, but it's
worth it."
Clement, gracious in defeat, apologized for his poor English and
then read a long prepared speech that charmed the crowd.
"To compete in a Grand Slam final is something that seems
unreal to me," Clement said. He then paused, choking back tears.
"I would like to congratulate Andre for his tournament and his
fantastic career."
The sixth-seeded Agassi controlled most of the rallies and wore
down the speedy, 142-pound Clement by running him from side to
side. It was a smart tactic because the 15th-seeded Frenchman was
coming off the longest match of the tournament, a four-hour,
five-set semifinal win Friday over countryman Sebastien Grosjean.
Agassi enjoyed another advantage: experience. He was playing in
his 12th Grand Slam tournament final, Clement his first. Clement
was the first Frenchman to reach the Australian Open final since
Jean Borotra in 1928.
"I had to answer his weapons and impose mine," Agassi said.
"I think I did a pretty good job of that."
There was no chance of Agassi taking the matchup lightly,
because Clement beat him in the second round of last year's U.S.
Open.
"Today his game was two or three levels higher, and it was for
me just too impossible to beat him today," Clement said.
"Impossible. For me, impossible."
While Agassi made the victory look routine, he said he had
butterflies beforehand.
"You're a nervous wreck," Agassi said. "Last night at dinner
I had a hard time eating. Everything is just tense, and you're just
excited. That lets you know you still love what you do."
On a cool, sunny summer day, Agassi started quickly. He earned
two early service breaks for a 4-1 lead, served out the first set
at love, then broke again at love in the next game.
By the end of the second set, Agassi had a frustrated Clement
talking to himself.
"C'mon, what's this?" he said in French after double-faulting.
There were few mistakes by Agassi, who committed only 17 unforced
errors in the 1-hour, 46-minute victory.
With seven Grand Slam tournament titles, he ties John McEnroe,
John Newcombe, Mats Wilander and five others for 10th on the men's
list. He moves ahead of Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg, who won six
major titles each.
The only other man to win three Australian Open titles in the
Open era is Wilander.
Now the question becomes whether Agassi can sustain his fast
start this year. After winning the 2000 Australian Open, he failed
to win another tournament or reach another Grand Slam tournament
final.
Agassi's victory meant an American sweep of singles for the
fifth time in the past seven Grand Slam events. Jennifer Capriati
won her first major title Saturday by upsetting top-seeded Martina
Hingis.
Agassi earned $473,385 and Clement received $236,693.
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ALSO SEE
Andre Agassi's career Grand Slam finals
Andre Agassi vs. Arnaud Clement head to head
Final-ly! Capriati upsets Hingis for Aussie crown
Capriati nice addition to mix of strong women players
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