ThrowbackTimes Miami: Andre Agassi wins sixth and last crown over Carlos Moya

Back in 1990, Andre Agassi became the first champion of the Masters 1000 tournament in Miami, dominating the event in the next 15 years and scoring more wins than any other player in Florida. Andre's last title in Miami came in 2003, overcoming the younger opponents and lifting the 16th and penultimate Masters 1000 crown just before the 33rd birthday. The top seed Lleyton Hewitt and Marat Safin were ousted in the first match, followed by Juan Carlos Ferrero and Andy Roddick who had to pack their begs after the third round, with Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Carlos Moya advancing into the quarters. There, Albert Costa prevailed over Federer after a marathon while Carlos Moya toppled Robby Ginepri in the deciding tie break to reach the semis where he and Agassi scored dominant victories to set the title clash. It was the third match between the American and the Spaniard and the more experienced player produced a 6-3, 6-3 triumph in 71 minutes for the sixth Miami Open crown.

Carlos claimed the trophy in Cincinnati last summer but stood no chance in this one, taking only 15 points in nine return games and wasting all three break chances he created. On the other hand, Andre used the low first-serve percentage of his opponent, stealing 45% of the return points and clinching three breaks from six opportunities to cross the finish line in no time at all and lift the third straight trophy in Florida. The American had 25 winners and 13 unforced errors, outplaying Moya in the shortest range up to four strokes thanks to 23 service winners and performing a little bit better in the more extended exchanges as well to race over the finish line in style. The home favorite landed a backhand winner to close the opening game at love, wasting break opportunities in the second and fending off one of his own with a forehand winner in the third game to bring it home after a couple of deuces.

Flying over the court, Agassi grabbed a break at 15 in game four with a winner at the net, serving well and taking the opener 6-3 after three winners in game nine. The servers lost just six points in the opening six games of the second set, with Moya standing in touch with the rival and hoping for some chances on the return. Instead of that, Andre broke him at love with a backhand crosscourt winner to move 4-3 up, with Carlos creating two break chances in the next game following a beautiful backhand down the line winner. Keeping his focus, Agassi fired four winners to get out of jail and make a hold for a 5-3, forcing Carlos to serve for staying in the match. That ninth game proved to be the last one, with Agassi delivering a break at love after a forced error to celebrate the title and the 21st win in Floridan in the previous 22 matches.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2x1fFK4