Second seed Andre Agassi
claimed his third career ATP Mercedes-Benz Cup title with a straight sets win
over fellow American Jan-Michael Gambill.
Agassi produced a typically powerful performance to take the trophy 6-2 6-4.
The Las Vegas-born star follows last year's triumph over Pete Sampras and a
1998 victory against Tim Henman.
Agassi's win was his 40th on hard court in his career, and means he has won four
or more titles a year for four of the past five seasons.
He dominated his fellow American with heavy groundstrokes which kept Gambill
on the run throughout.
Agassi broke in the third game of the first set, and for a second time to move
5-2 ahead before closing the set by holding his serve.
Gambill did break in the second to level at 4-4, but any thoughts of a
comeback were quickly extinguished when Agassi broke back immediately and
successfully served for the win.
Agassi said: ``It felt good to play really well at the right time at the end
of the match, but I knew at 4-4 it could have gone either way.''
``I think that I can serve better and I think I can even be more aggressive.
``It was all about my physical condition. I'm making less errors but still
making big cuts.''
The 32-year-old now sets his sights on the US Open in late August - a major he feels
he can win.
He added: ``I think it's about being healthy, not about being 32. It's not a
surprise that I feel good when I'm out there.
``No matter what age you are it's always hard work. I enjoy challenging myself
and I enjoy great matches. I've never felt better and it motivates me to feel
like I can still improve.''
As for Gambill, he can look back on a fine performance in Los Angeles, and
take some comfort in the fact Agassi was just too good.
He said: ``Andre was too tough and didn't make any errors and ran me from side
to side like a child's rag doll.
``He's grown wiser and knows everything going on court and around him. It's
tough to fool him.
``At 4-4 he played a better game than I did and I didn't get any first serves
in that game.
``I knew I was giving it my best and I know I played a good match. I hit very
cleanly and I feel positive coming out of this event.''
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