MADRID, Oct 19: Evergreen Andre Agassi reversed a two-match loss streak against Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean Saturday to book a place in the final of the 2.95-million-dollar Masters Series.

The 32-year-old American had beaten Grosjean only once in three meetings, however his seemingly ageless form on court prior to his 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 victory was impressive - and will give Australian Lleyton Hewitt food for thought.

In what is looking to be a showdown for the world number one title, to be played out at the season-ending Masters Cup November 11-17 in Shanghai, last season’s world number one Hewitt would do well to pay attention to Agassi.

Agassi was the clear fan favourite despite knocking out Spaniards back-to-back this week. “This is as good of a crowd I’ve ever played in front of,” he said of the public at Madrid’s first-ever Masters.

“They have so much passion, so much love of tennis. I feel like I want to give them something back.”

Agassi will be bidding Sunday for a record 15th Masters trophy. He would also move to within 43 points of the Australian if he wins the title.

Agassi is due to play in St. Petersburg next week, another prime point-earning opportunity.

In Sunday’s final Agassi will play 11th seed Jiri Novak who overpowered a tired looking Fabrice Santoro 6-2 6-4.

Novak struck 13 huge winners on his way to taking the first set from the French qualifier with two breaks of serve in 28 minutes.

Santoro had seen off 12th seed Roger Federer in his quarter-final with a mixture of artful slices, chips and charges but his game was lacking a vital spark on Saturday and Novak took full advantage.

He broke twice again in the second set, in games three and seven, and although Santoro got one of those back Novak served out in the ninth for victory in 68 minutes.

Semifinal results (prefix number denotes seeding): 11-Jiri Novak (Czech Republic) beat Fabrice Santoro (France) 6-2 6-4 2-Andre Agassi (U.S.) beat 7-Sebastien Grosjean (France) 6-4 3-6 6-4—Agencies