Top seed and new world number one Andre Agassi
staged a dramatic fightback to win the US Men's Clay Court Championships beating
fellow American and second seed Andy Roddick 3-6 6-3 6-4 - his ATP-best fourth
title of the season in Houston.
Roddick was in control of the match, leading 6-3, 2-0 with Agassi serving at
0-40, when the Las Vegas native hit a backhand drop shot winner from the
baseline to stay in the game.
He went on to hold serve and then break Roddick in the sixth game and also
broke again in the eighth game to go on to win the second set.
In the final set, Agassi broke in the fifth game and he never faced a break
point, losing five points in five service games.
"I think he was a little off at the beginning and then I dropped a little in
the second set but I definitely had my chances," said Roddick, who lost his
first career match in Houston.
"If I am able to win that game (third) in the second set, it would have given
me two breaks and I feel good about my chances."
Roddick, who was attempting to capture his third straight US Clay Courts
title, added: "I played well in the first and third sets and I was a little
sloppy in the second set but overall it was a good week for me.
"I won some close matches to get to the final. My goal is to be back here in
November for the Tennis Masters Cup."
Agassi was winning the US Clay Courts for the second time after claiming the
title as an 18-year-old in 1988 in Charleston.
During the awards ceremony, Agassi was searching for his name on the permanent
tournament trophy along with former President George Bush.
"To get down 0-3 would have been nearly impossible and then I got the break
back a few games later," said Agassi.
"I felt pretty desperate the whole time and I know why it's hard to beat Andy
here. Then when I converted the break in the third set, I was ready to bring it
home.
"Today was one of those days where you try to hand in there."
Agassi entered the final having lost 10 games in four matches, the fewest
games he has lost en route to a final in his career.
Agassi spent a total of three hours and 26 minutes on court in the tournament
compared to Roddick's 10 hours of singles and doubles time on court.
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook