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Agassi took command to win third Aussie Open title
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澳大利亚网球公开赛男单决赛中，美国选手阿加西以3：0击败法国年轻选手克莱芒，第三次夺得澳网男单冠军。
ANDRE AGASSI no longer feels the need to be flashy (色彩艳丽的). He wore a bland black and white outfit to work on January 28, then played tennis that was smart and steady rather than spectacular.
The approach worked. Agassi won his third Australian Open title by dominating a baseline (底线) battle with surprise finalist Arnaud Clement (阿诺德·克莱芒) 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.
"I was down here with a purpose," Agassi said. "It was great for it to turn out the way it did."
The Grand Slam tournament title is his seventh, including four since he turned 29 two years ago.
"I've had those years where tennis hasn't been the top priority," he said. "There can be some regrets there, but I think that has saved me for the long run. I think my best tennis can still be ahead of me."
When Agassi cracked a backhand winner on the first championship point, he doffed his cap, shook hands with Clement, raised his fists and blew a kiss to his girlfriend, Steffi Graf. Then Agassi responded to a standing ovation with his customary bow to the four sides of the stadium.
Agassi, the defending champion, won a major tournament in back-to-back years for the first time. He was also the Australian Open champion in 1995.
"You never know when the last time you're going to be here is," Agassi said during the trophy ceremony. "It never ceases to be overwhelming. All the work and all the training that goes into putting yourself in this position is difficult and hard, but it's worth it."
Clement, gracious in defeat, apologized for his poor English and then read a long prepared speech that charmed the crowd.
"To compete in a Grand Slam final is something that seems unreal to me," Clement said. He then paused, choking back tears. "I would like to congratulate Andre for his tournament and his fantastic career."
The sixth-seeded Agassi controlled most of the rallies and wore down the speedy Clement by running him from side to side. It was a smart tactic because the 15th-seeded Frenchman was coming off the longest match of the tournament, a four-hour, five-set semifinal win over countryman Sebastien Grosjean.
Agassi enjoyed another advantage: experience. He was playing in his 12th Grand Slam tournament final, Clement his first. Clement was the first Frenchman to reach the Australian Open final since Jean Borotra in 1928.
"I had to answer his weapons and impose mine," Agassi said. "I think I did a pretty good job of that."
"You're a nervous wreck," Agassi said. "Last night at dinner I had a hard time eating. Everything is just tense, and you're just excited. That lets you know you still love what you do."\
The only other man to win three Australian Open titles in the Open era is Wilander.
Now the question becomes whether Agassi can sustain his fast start this year. After winning the 2000 Australian Open, he failed to win another tournament or reach another Grand Slam tournament final.
Agassi earned US$473,385 and Clement received US$236,693.(SD-Agencies)
Andre Agassi
Age: 30
Lives: Las Vegas
Plays: right-handed, double-handed backhand
Grand Slam titles: Six (Australian Open 1995, 2000; French Open 1999; Wimbledon 1992; US Open 1994, 1999)
Australian Open record: 2001-Champion, 2000-Champion, 1999-Fourth round, 1998-Fourth round, 1996-Semifinals, 1995-Champion
Career titles: 46
How Agassi got there:
First: Jiri Vanek 6-0, 7-5, 6-3
Second: Paul Goldstein 6-1, 6-3, 6-1
Third: David Prinosil 7-6, 5-0 ret.
Fourth: Andrew Ilie 6-7, 6-3, 6-0, 6-3
Quarter: Todd Martin 7-5, 6-3, 6-4
Semi: P Rafter 7-5, 2-6, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3
Final: Clement Arnaud 6-4, 6-2, 6-2(SD-Agencies)
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