Agassi Wins the Nasdaq-100 Open

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) _ Andre Agassi beat Roger Federer and tied Steffi Graf. <br><br>With a four-set victory over Federer in the final of the Nasdaq-100 Open on Sunday, Agassi earned his fifth Key Biscayne

Monday, April 1st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) _ Andre Agassi beat Roger Federer and tied Steffi Graf.

With a four-set victory over Federer in the final of the Nasdaq-100 Open on Sunday, Agassi earned his fifth Key Biscayne title. The only other player with five titles is his wife, Steffi Graf, who retired in 1999.

``I have a shot at passing her, because she's not going to win another one,'' Agassi said with a grin. ``I'm moving up in the household.''

Agassi, who won the final 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, attributes his success on Key Biscayne to the medium-slow pace of the hardcourts and the breezy, hot weather. Because he's in the best shape of his career at age 31, the 87-degree conditions didn't faze him.

Instead, he swept the last four games.

``I've just always loved coming here,'' said Agassi, who was seeded ninth. ``I've had some disappointing weeks here, but there have been about five special ones I'll never forget.''

Agassi also won the tournament in 1990, 1995, 1996 and 2001. Graf won in 1987-88 and 1994-96.

Is there a rivalry in the five-month marriage?

``I suppose in my own mind there is,'' Agassi said. ``I think we take separate approaches toward it. She certainly wants the best for me, and she doesn't really think much about any of her stats over the years. I kind of know more about them than she does.

``But I know mine pretty well. I'm relatively quick to remind her.''

Among Agassi's stats: 700 career victories, a milestone achieved by only eight other men.

He reached it by cooling 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 Lleyton Hewitt in the semifinals.

But 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 the second championship point.

For two sets Federer looked as if he were 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.

Agassi broke Federer three times in the opening set and once more in the second set, repeatedly ripping returns that had the Swiss youngster on his heels _ if he reached them at all.

``The second set was tough,'' Federer said. ``I was running around a lot. My pulse was high. I felt like I rushed the whole time, and Andre was playing well.''

Federer 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.

``I had another gear that I knew I needed to shift to,'' Agassi said.

After rallying to 4-all, Agassi won eight of the final 10 points, then raised both arms with a triumphant grin. He won $456,000 for his 51st career title.

``It gets sweeter every year,'' Agassi said. ``One of the things I'm getting better at as I get older is enjoying it.''

Agassi remains 10th in the new ATP Tour rankings this week, while Federer climbs from 14th to 11th. A victory in the final would have boosted him to 10th.

``I'm disappointed I didn't make the top 10 this week because I had a chance,'' Federer said. ``But I feel progress in my game.''

Agassi praised Federer's versatility.

``He's got a great game,'' Agassi said. ``And he's still learning how to play. He's going to only get a lot better. I see him as definitely being a threat for one of the best.''