Hewitt edges Agassi in San Jose final classic

World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt saved two match points before scraping past Andre Agassi 4-6, 7-6(8-6), 7-6(7-4) in a dramatic final at the $400,000 San Jose Open on Sunday.

After winning a tense third set tiebreak when Agassi missed a forehand return, Hewitt screamed in delight and pumped his fists to signal the end of a classic match that featured constant end-to-end rallies and long, nail-biting exchanges.

Hewitt said it was one of the best matches he had played. "It's right up there, with my Davis Cup wins over (Gustavo) Kuerten and (Albert) Costa and beating (Pete) Sampras at the U.S. Open.

"To come through three hours and keep that level up against a guy who doesn't take his foot off the pedal at all, come up with big points in a third set tiebreaker, and stay mentally tough considering I haven't played in a while is something I wouldn't have expected to do.

Hewitt, playing in his first tournament for six weeks because of chicken pox, said: "I believe in myself and know what I'm capable of.

"I've had to come through tough conditions in the past and it makes me a stronger person. Like in Davis Cup away ties, I'm probably one of the best guys to send out there.

"It's something you are born with and something I've gained from doing it time and time again. I go for my shots and have that never-say-die attitude."

BIG SITUATIONS

Agassi, playing in his first event since injuring his wrist in mid-January, said: "Lleyton has a good ability to sense and step in big situations.

"He's a great competitor, his game is consistent and when he's down he plays big situations aggressively and takes control of the point. That's the sign of somebody who's ready for big moments. He has great skill and is earning his place with the best of us.

"It's a big situation and when you've only played a few matches in five months, it's hard to step up and know what to do," Agassi said.

"I want to be aggressive but to be aggressive on the right ball and I probably second guessed a few opportunities. But he came up with big shots. I could have stepped up a little more. My mama said there would be days like this."

Agassi came out firing in the first set, serving with terrific accuracy and never allowing his opponent a break point in the set.

Hewitt, meanwhile, failed to show the serving prowess he had in his previous two matches, frequently pressing on his second delivery in fear of Agassi's much-vaunted return.

"I didn't serve that well overall but served well under pressure," Hewitt said.

"Andre's the best returner in the world and puts you under a lot of pressure. To stand up there on the big points and hit big second serves at times like that gives me a lot of confidence."

Seven-time grand slam champion Agassi held two break points at 1-1, but the 31-year-old American committed a backhand error and then Hewitt cracked a service winner.

STEELY RESOLVE

Serving at 2-2, the 21-year-old Australian allowed Agassi nine break points. Hewitt showed a steely resolve to save eight of them, but on the ninth break point he rushed the net and pushed a forehand volley long.

Agassi held three set points at 5-3 before Hewitt proceeded to whip three winners from the back of the court. However, Agassi closed out the set in the next game when he crunched a forehand cross-court that Hewitt netted as he attempted to hit the ball between his legs.

Hewitt held his first break point of the match with Agassi serving at 2-3 in the second set, but the American delivered a service winner and eventually held.

Hewitt had another break point with Agassi serving at 3-4, but he again missed his chance. Agassi held a break point of his own at 4-4, only to see his rival respond with an ace.

The pair then went toe-to-toe in a thrilling tiebreak. Agassi held a match point at 6-5, but Hewitt saved it with a forehand that landed within an inch of the line.

Hewitt crushed an ace down the middle to go 7-6 up and then let out a huge yell when he ended a long, riveting rally by firing a backhand winner down the line to take the set.

Breaks of serve were traded early in third set before Agassi held four break points at 4-3. Hewitt, the reigning U.S. Open champion, held firm though to level at 4-4.

Agassi held his second match point at 5-4 but Hewitt responded by burying an ace into the corner.

Both men were a bit tentative in the tiebreak until the most exciting rally of the match occurred on the eighth point.

Hewitt ran down an Agassi drop volley, launched a lob over his head, watched Agassi run down the ball and whack it between his legs with his back facing the net before Hewitt put a volley away to go ahead 5-3.

Hewitt then watched a stunned Agassi commit two unforced errors to end the match.