HOUSTON (Texas), April 28: Pete Sampras outplayed long-time rival Andre Agassi 6-1, 7-5 Saturday to reach the final of the US Clay Court Championships.

Fourth seed Sampras, attempting to claim his first title for almost two years, now meets defending champion and third seed Andy Roddick.

Roddick struggled with the gusty conditions and a feisty Guillermo Coria before prevailing 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 over the Argentine baseliner.

Sampras, who has not won a clay court 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 this week.

In contrast, 1999 French Open champion Agassi had trouble finding his footing on the clay as Sampras seized control by racing into 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.

Saturday’s results: (prefix number denotes seeding):

Semifinals: 4-Pete Sampras (US) beat 2-Andre Agassi (US) 6-1, 7-5; 3-Andy Roddick (US) beat Guillermo Coria (Argentina) 6-3, 2-6, 6-2.—Reuters