Not too much should be read into Andre Agassi's comprehensive 6-2, 6-2 victory over Pete Sampras in the ATP Tour Championship yesterday, at least in terms of what may or may not happen in next year's grand slams.

Agassi, currently at the pinnacle of his form, knows well enough that the Sampras of yesterday, and the Sampras who demolished him in this year's Wimbledon final, are two different beasts. This was only Sampras's third competitive game since August, and although the back appears mended, the great man is considerably short of being match fit.

Indeed should Sampras and Agassi meet again in this Sunday's five-set final, a much anticipated prospect, the table might be dramatically turned. "The guy can improve like nobody. He was like Lazarus at Wimbledon," said Agassi.

He came out hustling yesterday, forcing three break-points on the Agassi serve, but the only damage he could achieve was to his own racket which imploded after a particularly violent smash.

The more the match went on, the more Sampras's rustiness showed, particularly noticeable at the net when he was often not quite in position quickly enough. Agassi, the pass master, pinged the ball down the lines with unerring accuracy, barely making an unforced error during the hour the match lasted.

This was the 27th meeting between the two Americans, Agassi now having won 11, and ended a Sampras run of three consecutive victories, including Wimbledon.

But however much this win means to him, Agassi remained suitably realistic about its actual impact and context. "On my best day I couldn't beat Pete 2 and 2 if he was playing what he is capable of."