Agassi claims 50th title

Andre Agassi has joined the ranks of the elite

A Agassi def. J Balcells 6-2 7-6 (7/2)

Andre Agassi became only the ninth person to capture 50 titles when he claimed the ATP Scottsdale Classic trophy on Sunday.

Agassi, who dropped only one set all week en route to the match, defeated Spaniard Juan Balcells 6-2 7-6 (7/2) to seal his fourth Scottsdale title, having previously won in 1993, 1994 and 1998.

The American won the last four games of the first set and never faced break point in the match. Balcells pulled a hamstring early in the second-set tiebreaker.

After withdrawing from the Australian Open with a wrist injury, Agassi began the 2002 season last week at San Jose, where he lost a three-set final to Australian Lleyton Hewitt.

Agassi won his third Scottsdale championship in 1998 but had to withdraw because of a hamstring pull in the semi-finals the next year.

Then Francisco Clavet of Spain knocked beat him in the first round the last two years, a jinx Agassi overcame by overwhelming Clavet 6-3, 6-2 in this year's first round.

Against Balcells, Agassi faced a player who was 0-5 this year and number 123 on the ATP entry system to Agassi's number five.

Balcells toughened in the second set, holding serve all the way.

The Spaniard forced the tiebreaker with a hard forehand toward Agassi's feet. Agassi tried to lob but the ball drifted long.

Early in the tiebreaker, Agassi took a 2-1 lead when a crosscourt backhand by Balcells was ruled wide.

On the next point Balcells pulled his left hamstring and never tried for Agassi's forehand winner along the line.

After each player won a point, Balcells had his upper leg taped. But he was virtually immobile and never tried for Agassi's last three winners.