Andre Agassi destroyed Rainer Schuettler as he won the Australian Open for a record fourth time.

The American dropped just five games against the German who wilted playing in his first Grand Slam final.

Agassi's 6-2 6-2 6-1 success was his eighth Grand Slam triumph in total and made him the first man to win the Australian title four times since the Open era began in 1968.

It also equalled the biggest margin of victory in Australian Open final history.

Only twice before - the last time in 1926 - had the final seen just 23 games.

Agassi made a flying start, immediately securing a double break as the surprise German finalist showed signs of nerves.

However, with the pressure off, Schuettler hit back straight away, pulling one of the breaks back - it was to prove his only one in the entire match - as he managed to get into the rallies and make Agassi work for the points.

But it was too late to stop Agassi taking the opening set.

In 2002, Agassi had won the first set in 47 matches and lost from that position just the once - so things did not look good for the 31st seed.

Schuettler had joked after his semi-final win that the best chance he'd have against Agassi was if the American had eaten something dodgy.

Sadly for him, Agassi hadn't, and that quote was to ring true.

Three time in four games, Schuettler moved to 0-30 on Agassi's serve, but when he failed to make a breakthrough, he hurled his racquet on to the Rebound Ace surface.

At 2-2, Agassi broke to love and reeled off four games in a row to take a two-set lead.

Schuettler was being outclassed and he won just one game in the third set, the first.

Six games later, the match was over - and it had taken just 76 minutes.

The triumph was Agassi's 21st consecutive match victory at Melbourne Park. He also won the title in 2000 and 2001 but missed last year's event with a wrist injury.

Afterwards Agassi told the crowd he felt "half Australian" after another success in Melbourne.

"There's not a day that's guaranteed or promised to us and days like this are very rare," said Agassi. "This means the world to me."

Talking to the crowd after being presented with the Sir Norman Brookes trophy, he said: "I'm so honoured to share it with you.

"I'll never forget playing for you and the love I've always felt coming down here."

Schuettler admitted he had been beaten by a great champion.

"Congratulations to Andre," said the surprise finalist, competing in his first Grand Slam title match.

"There's not a lot to say. I tried my best, he was simply too good for me today."