MIAMI, April 2: Roger Federer’s dominance of eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi continued on Friday as the Swiss world number one posted a straight set victory over the US veteran to reach the final of the Key Biscayne ATP Masters Series tournament.
Federer, seeking his first title in Miami, defeated six-time champion Agassi 6-4, 6-3 to advance to Sunday’s final against Spain’s Rafael Nadal, who beat compatriot David Ferrer 6-4, 6-3.
It was just the second time in 10 semi-final appearances at Key Biscayne that Agassi has failed to reach the final. And it was his seventh straight loss to Federer.
Agassi had chances to break Federer in just one game during the 1hr 25min match, at 3-3 in the second set, but he couldn’t convert any of the five opportunities.
That backhand was Agassi’s first break chance, at 0-40. On the next two, Federer came up with two of his eight aces, but he gave Agassi another chance with a double fault.
Agassi netted a backhand on that one, ruefully tapping his head with his racquet after what he later described as a poor shot selection.
Agassi gave himself one last chance with a forehand service return winner, but again Federer came up with a service winner to escape the threat.
He quickly turned the tables on Agassi, breaking for a 5-3 lead and serving out the match.
Federer had claimed the first set with a break in the final game, when Agassi’s attempt to end a long rally with a forehand crosscourt failed.
Federer now boasts a win-loss record of 31-1 in 2005, and is 47-1 since the beginning of last year’s US Open.
His 2005 record is marred only by a semi-final loss to eventual champion Marat Safin in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, and in Miami he is bidding to claim a second straight Masters Series title after a triumph in Indian Wells, California, earlier this month.
The hard-hitting Nadal, whose four career titles have all come on clay, will have his work cut out against Federer, who has won the last 17 finals he has contested.
But Nadal does own a winning record against Federer, having beaten him in straight sets in the round of 32 at this event last year in their only previous encounter.
The final will take place on Sunday.
Results:
Men (semifinals): Roger Federer bt Andre Agassi 6-4 6-3; Rafael Nadal bt David Ferrer 6-4 6-3.—Agencies
