Agassi books final place

Andre Agassi secured a straight sets victory

Click here for Saturday's results

American top seed Andre Agassi advanced into the final of ATP Scottsdale Classic with a 6-4 6-4 win over seventh-seed Xavier Malisse of Belgium.

Agassi, seeking his fourth title at the event, will meet Spain's Juan Balcells, who completed his surprising march through with a 6-3, 6-1 rout of Germany's Rainer Schuetter.

"I consider myself to be in a real rare situation here where I feel healthy, I feel strong, I'm moving well and I can bring my experience to the court," he said.

"It's a hard package to play against."

As I approach this year, I believe Sunday is a big step for me

Andre Agassi

If he wins on Sunday, the 31-year-old Agassi will become the eighth player to notch-up 50 tournament championships in the Open era.

Agassi called 50 "a nice, round, even number," but said it would not add to his motivation to win Sunday.

"As I approach this year, I believe tomorrow is a big step for me," he said.

"It's another big match situation where I have a chance to execute my game and take myself to the next level for the bigger ones."

Happy venue

Agassi lost an excruciatingly close match to world number one Australian Lleyton Hewitt in the finals of last week's Seibel Open in California.

Three of Agassi's victories have come in Scottsdale - in 1993, 1994 and 1998.

Malisse, who has reached four ATP finals but never won a title, made no apologies for his play.

"He was just too good," Malisse said. "I had my chances. It's not like I got knocked off the court or anything. We played good tennis.

"He's got more experience and he plays the points better, probably.

Balcells, whose lone victory and only other final appearance on the ATP Tour came two years ago in Bucharest, Romania, has never played Agassi.

"I've been watching matches of Andre since I was 15," the 26-year-old Spaniard said.

"Now tomorrow I'm going to play against him and that's going to be like a dream come true. I mean, he's like an idol to me."

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Franklin Templeton Tennis Classic: Saturday's results:

Andre Agassi (1), (United States) bt Xavier Malisse (7), Belgium, 6-4, 6-4
Juan Balcells (Spain) bt Rainer Schuettler (Germany) 6-3 6-1

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