Houston, Nov 17: Roger Federer and Andre Agassi advance to the final of the Masters Cup. Wimbledon champion Roger Federer overwhelmed world number one Andy Roddick 7-6 6-2 on Saturday (November 15) to reach the finals of ATP Masters Cup and a showdown with Andre Agassi. Earlier in the day, Agassi produced yet another magical comeback to beat Germany's Rainer Schuettler 5-7 6-0 6-4 and leave himself on the brink of capturing his first Masters title since his debut at the year-end finale 13 years ago. Playing in his first event since a semi-final loss to Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero at the U.S. Open, Agassi had not expected too much when he arrived at the Westside Tennis Club. But with each match -- all four, lengthy three set affairs -- the 33 year-old American has shaken off more rust to leave himself on the brink of capturing his first Masters title since his first appearance at the year-end finale 13 years ago. Following a one hour and 40 minute rain delay, the rematch of this year's Australian Open final began with both players feeling each other out, the German with the blue collar work ethic and the Las Vegas showman matching each other shot-for-shot.


With the opening set drifting towards a tiebreak, Schuettler would gain the first break point of the match and quickly capitalised, sending a stinging forehand winner down the line to clinch the set 7-5.


But Agassi refused to become dejected, answering back in devastating fashion, sweeping through the next eight games breaking a wilting Schuettler four times in succession to take the second set and a 2-0 advantage in the third.


On the ropes, Schuettler displayed some resilience of his own, holding serve to stop the slide and breaking Agassi to suddenly find himself back in the contest.


But Schuettler's resurgence was short-lived as a wide-eyed Agassi, his iron will to win now on full display, kept up the pressure registering the decisive break to go ahead 4-3 then never allowing the tireless German back into the match.


In a ruthless performance, the 22-year-old Federer needed just 62 minutes to crush the hopes of an all-American final, humbling a helpless Roddick in front of his home fans.


A perfect 4-0 heading into Sunday's final, one more win will not only give Federer his seventh title of the season and the winner's purse of $1.52 million but will push the Swiss up to number two in the world rankings ahead of Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero.


Roddick, who had spent the week prior to the final in New York rehearsing for his guest host role on "Saturday Night Live", had looked far from his best at the Westside Tennis Club, never quite finding the form that had catapulted him to the top.


His trademark thundering serve silent and his usually punishing ground strokes missing the mark, the U.S. Open champion was left fully exposed and vulnerable to the clockwork precision of his stylish opponent.


In a near flawless display, Federer never faced a break point the entire match, whistled 30 winners by Roddick while committing just 13 errors and adding insult to injury out-aced the American 12-5.

The first set unfolded as one would expect between the world number one and number three, neither player earning a break point.


But in the tiebreak Federer began to stamp his authority on the contest winning decisively 7-2. The first break point of the match would come in the fifth game of the second set and it would go to Federer, the Swiss seizing his opportunity launching a laser backhand down the line to go in front 3-2.


He then stormed through the final four games to clinch the match. In Sunday's final, Federer will carry a considerable age advantage on the 33 year-old Agassi as well as a slight edge in confidence having registered his first career win over eight-time grand slam winner in the opening match of round-robin play.


But Agassi, playing in his first event since a semi-final loss at the U.S. Open, has displayed unparalleled determination and resilience this week as he looks to end the season on a high note.


Bureau Report