Andre Agassi overpowered Patrick Rafter 6-0, 6-7, 6-2 yesterday to reach the final of the Ericsson Open for the sixth time.
Agassi, the Australian Open champion, meets fellow countryman Jan-Michael Gambill for the title today.
Agassi wasted no time imposing his game on a startled Rafter. In a ruthless display, the 31-year-old needed just 17 minutes to complete a first-set demolition of the twice-former US Open champion.
Rafter, who took Agassi to five gruelling sets in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, charged to the net at every chance but was helpless as Agassi unleashed a series of punishing returns of serve and pin-point passing shots.
"I just wanted to get off to a good start but I considered a good start holding serve with Patrick," said Agassi.
"I just didn't want him to be up a break early. We've played each other enough that we understand what is going to happen out there. It's always a question of who is going to execute better."
"He was on fire at the beginning," said Rafter, whose only other appearance in the Ericsson semi-finals in 1994 also ended in defeat to Agassi."He didn't let me get into the match and I probably came out a little flat."
It was the third-seeded American's ninth win in 13 matches against Australian Rafter and also took his record this season to 21 victories from 23 matches.
Reuters