Pete Sampras outplayed long-time rival Andre Agassi 6-1, 7-5 yesterday to reach the final of the United States claycourt championships in Houston.
Fourth seed Sampras, attempting to claim his first title for almost two years, now meets fellow American and defending champion Andy Roddick.
Roddick, the third seed who is trying to
become the first player to successfully defend the title since Argentine Jose-Luis Clerc in 1980 and 1981, struggled with the gusty conditions and a feisty Guillermo Coria, of Argentina, before prevailing 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.
Sampras, who has not won a claycourt event since Atlanta in 1998 and is without a title on any surface since Wimbledon 2000 - a string of 24 tournaments - has looked more comfortable on the dirt with each match and has dropped only one set throughout the tournament.
In contrast, 1999 French Open champion Agassi had trouble finding his footing on the clay as Sampras seized control by racing to a 5-0 lead in the opening set.
The second seed steadied himself in the second set, but Sampras produced the decisive break to go 6-5 up.
The 13-time Grand Slam winner then served out the match with an ace, but only after Agassi saved four match points.
The semifinal marked the 33rd time the two American tennis icons had clashed, Sampras now holding a 19-14 edge.
* Unseeded Argentine baseliner Gaston Gaudio upset Australian world No 1 Lleyton Hewitt 6-4, 7-5 yesterday to reach the final of the Barcelona Open.
Hewitt had early breaks in both sets, but could not capitalise against the powerful Gaudio, who has not lost a set at the million-dollar claycourt tournament.
His reward is a title match against Spain's Albert Costa, the 1997 champion who overcame fifth seed Guillermo Canas 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 to rule out an all-Argentine final.
- AGENCIES
