Ian Carter: "Agassi's superior fitness proved the key"

Second-seed Agassi recovered from a one-set deficit to beat the Australian Open champion 1-6 6-3 6-3 6-3, seizing the world number one ranking on the way.

Agassi now faces seventh-seeded compatriot Todd Martin, who had earlier overcome France's Cedric Pioline, in an all-American final.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov: Outplayed by the brilliant Agassi

The French open champion landed only four first serves in the first set as Kafelnikov looked poised to blow him out.

"It was breezy, I struggled with my rhythm," Agassi said.

Everything changed in the second set, however, as Agassi's groundstrokes found the corners and the sidelines.

Slowly, Agassi broke down Kafelnikov's game and when Kafelnikov's weak reply was buried into the net on the third match point, Agassi was through.

"It couldn't have come down to a better day," Agassi said.

"It's great to have a coupla Americans in the final."