Kuerten's Masterful display

Kuerten dominated from the start

Gustavo Kuerten beat Andre Agassi
6-4 6-4 6-4

Gustavo Kuerten became the first South American to claim the year-end top rankings spot after beating Andre Agassi in the final of the ATP Masters Cup in Lisbon.

The Brazilian, roared on by his devoted fans, took command from the start and never gave his American opponent a sniff of victory.

Kuerten broke in the very first game of the match, recording further breaks in the fifth games of the second and third sets to wrap up a convincing win in 2hr 06min.

"I started badly and he played the bigger points better," admitted Agassi.

'Fantastic year'

"Every time I had a break point he came up with a big serve. I felt I could have done more. But he got it done."

Kuerten's win deprived Russia's Marat Safin of the chance to become the youngest ever season-ending number one at the age of 20.

"I think what Kuerten and (Marat) Safin have achieved this year is fantastic," Agassi added.

"They have certainly established a level of accomplishment that makes them a threat in a lot of years to come."

The 24-year-old from Florianopolis, who picked up $1.4m for his win, also won the Champions Race for the year 2000. He finished the season on 839 points compared with 824 for Safin, who lost to Agassi in the semi-finals.

The Brazilian had lost to Agassi in his opening round robin encounter but turned the tables to lift his 10th career title and his fifth of the year.