Agassi in historic win

Agassi took the first two sets 6-3 6-3

Andre Agassi bt Roger Federer 6-3 6-3 3-6 6-4

Andre Agassi made the Nasdaq-100 Open final his 700th career singles win after a thrilling match against Roger Federer in Miami.

It was the fifth time Agassi - who turns 32 next month - has won this particular tournament and it allows him to retain his place in the top 10 of the world rankings.

But the American will derive greater pleasure from becoming only the ninth player to reach 700 match wins.

He joins some of the game's greats including Ivan Lendl, Boris Becker and Jimmy Connors, who tops the rankings with 1,155.

I've had some disappointing weeks here, but there have been about five special ones I will never forget

Andre Agassi

Agassi, whose victory matched wife Steffi Graf's five wins in Miami, said: "I've just always loved coming here and playing here over the years.

"I've had some disappointing weeks here, but there have been about five special ones I will never forget.

"I love it here. I definitely look forward to coming back next year."

Agassi took the opening two sets 6-3 6-3 with ease, Federer unable to match the timing and power of the American's groundstrokes.

Prior to Sunday's final, Federer had never even taken a set off Agassi, and in what was his first ever Masters Series final looked unlikely to do so.

I started well in the fourth set, but Andre started to play really well

Roger Federer

But the Swiss number one bounced back in the third set, lifting the tempo and reducing Agassi to little more than a spectator.

He broke to go 3-1 up in the third before rounding off the set 6-3.

Federer continued that dominance in the fourth with another early break and, at 4-2, was on course to take the contest to a fifth-set decider.

But Agassi, tiring and unable to match Federer, suddenly sprang to life to break twice in the final two games for an unlikely 6-4 win.

Federer said: "I started well in the fourth set, but Andre started to play really well."