Agassi beats Grosjean, advances to Madrid final

Madrid:

Andre Agassi beat Sebastien Grosjean in three sets Saturday to reach the final of the inaugural US$2.95 million Madrid Masters. The 32-year-old American, who has the world No. 1 ranking in striking distance, prevailed 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 before a near-sellout crowd of 9,500 at the Rockodromo centercourt. In Sunday's final, the second-seeded Agassi will meet the winner of the other semifinal between Jiri Novak and qualifier Fabrice Santoro. Grosjean, who had beaten Agassi in their last two matches, lost the first set 6-4 after dropping his serve in the ninth game for the only service break of the set. Agassi was broken for the first time in three matches in the seventh game of the second set to trail 4-2. But he broke back Grosjean in the following game, only to drop his serve again in game 7. Grosjean then easily held his serve to level the match at one set apiece. Agassi got the only break in the third set in game 10, moving to within two points of the match with a lucky net-cord winner. Grosjean then netted a backhand to give Agassi match point. He connected with a sizzling forehand return off Grosjean's weak second serve to close out the match in 1 hour and 41 minutes. (AP)