Pete Sampras tuned up for next week's Australian Open with a three-set victory over old rival Andre Agassi in the final of the Kooyong International tennis exhibition tournament today.
The 13-time Grand Slam winner defeated Agassi, 7-6 (8/6), 6-7 (6/8), 6-3 in 105 minutes.
It was the first meeting between the two titans since their epic quarter-final at last September's US Open, where Sampras triumphed in four tiebreak sets. Sampras leads Agassi 18-14 in tour and Grand Slam matches.
Both had trouble coping with the swirling wind on the open stadium court and although Agassi got the early jump, breaking serve in the opening game, he failed to close out the set giving Sampras the early advantage.
Sampras found his rhythm, serving a total of 23 aces, and although Agassi fought off a match point in the second-set tiebreaker he levelled when Sampras put a short forehand into the net.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion jumped Agassi in the opening game of the deciding set, hitting three clean winners to get an early break and confidently played out the set.
AFP