Andre Agassi returned to match fitness in emphatic fashion on Sunday as the veteran stormed past Gilles Muller 6-4, 7-5 to register his 60th career title at the $380 000 ATP Mercedes-Benz Cup.
The win in just less than 90 minutes was a tonic for the 35-year-old who had battled through two months of inactivity as a nerve injury in his back caused by a bulging disc slowly stabilised with the help of a pain-killing injection.
Agassi did not hide his emotions after winning in Los Angeles for the fourth time.
”It feels amazing; this is why you work so hard. I’m taking it all in and feeling good.”
Agassi’s impeccable performance in front of a wildly enthusiastic sell-out crowd included a near-flawless opening set, marked by just two points lost on serve and 26 errors from a clearly nervous Muller.
Resistance stiffened in the second, but not enough to matter.
Agassi overcame a 40-0 lead from the world number 75 from Luxembourg, earning a break point on a double-fault and moving into winning position 6-5.
The American idol served it out quickly a game later.
”It feels good to let my game fly, have the eagerness to scamper for balls [you are] not sure you will get to, and end up winning the points,” said Agassi.
”I’m only thinking about my game right now, not my injury. My body has responded. My recovery is great and moving along well.”
Agassi became the fourth over-30 ATP winner this year after Wayne Arthurs, Kenneth Carlsen and Canadian-born Brit Greg Rusedski.
The win came at the venue where Agassi won his 800th career singles match a year ago. He improved to 35-6 in Los Angeles as he took revenge for a loss to Muller in the Washington semifinals last August.
Sunday’s match was a sharp contrast to that loss 11 months ago, with Muller committing 26 unforced errors in the first set under the southern California sun.
”I’m living a dream,” said Agassi. ”I’m doing what I love doing in front of people who appreciate it. This is surreal and overwhelming.”
Agassi is due to play in next week’s Washington tournament, which is followed by back-to-back Masters events in Montreal and Cincinnati.
But while hoping to run non-stop towards the August 29 start of the United States Open, the veteran says he will consult with his physical trainer and coach before making any final scheduling decisions.
”I’ve been improving and I hope it gets a lot better. The way I feel now going into the Open, if I stay healthy I like the prospect of three-out-of-five matches.
”I just need to test myself against the best players in the world.” — Sapa-AFP