Andre Agassi crushed Pete Sampras 7-6 7-5 6-1 in California on Sunday to win the Indian Wells ATP Masters Series event.

The victory, in two hours and eight minutes, was Agassi's first in three attempts at Indian Wells.

It was not a classic, but the victory is the 13th for Agassi in 30 matches against his legendary rival since 1989.

Sampras has now been beaten in straight sets in his last two finals, with Russia's Marat Safin running over him for the US Open title in September. The defeat leaves the 13-time Grand Slam holder without a trophy since Wimbledon last summer.

Agassi, 30, claimed his 47th career crown with a near-perfect performance comprising 27 winners and a mere 10 unforced errors - only two in the second set - on his way to a £300,000 prize.

"You have to weather Pete's storm," said Agassi, this year's Australian Open champion and leader of the season ATP Champions points race.

"You have to fight the pressure he puts on you. The tiebreaker could have gone either way."

Sampras, 29, said he can hold his head high after his play this week. "The tiebreaker was a huge part of match," he said. "I had a set point, but Andre had the good stuff at the right time.

"I slowly wilted away in third and he picked up his game. I had my chances but I didn't convert."

AFP