Agassi cruises into last four

Agassi: Looked in control throughout the match

Andre Agassi (USA) bt Todd Martin (USA) 7-5 6-3 6-4

Defending champion Andre Agassi crushed fellow American Todd Martin in straight sets in the first of the men's quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Agassi, the number six seed, won 7-5 6-3 6-4 against the man who had ended Pete Sampras' hopes in the previous round.

The popular American will now play the winner of Tuesday's match between Australian Pat Rafter and Slovakia's Dominik Hrbaty.

It was another faultless display from the ruthless Agassi, who looked in control throughout the match.

You just try to get through each (match) and count your blessings along the way

  Andre Agassi

At one stage in the match, Agassi reeled off 20 out of 21 points, as Martin struggled to contend with his pinpoint returns and deep, searching serves.

"Todd is one of the best servers and returners and you have to be ready and sharp," the 30-year-old Agassi said.

Peak form

"He played a great game against Pete and I had to be at my best. I was feeling good about how I was hitting the ball and I stayed focused.

"He does not like to be on the defence so I was trying to move him as much as I could."

Agassi has dropped only one set in the championship so far and said: "I hope I don't have any tough ones. You just try to get through each one and count your blessings along the way."

The former world number one is bidding to become the first player to retain the title since Jim Courier in 1993.