WORLD number two Thomas Muster of Austria won his second title of the year, beating Spain's Sergi Bruguera 7-6 (8/6), 6-3, 6-1 at Key Biscayne to capture the men's title.
Muster beat the Atlanta Olympic silver medalist, who had eliminated world number one, Pete Sampras in the semi finals, for a ninth consecutive time to win the $360,000 top prize at the $2.45 million event. Muster is off to a career best 21-3 start this year.
In his 12-year career, Muster had won only one hardcourt title, in 1990 at Adelaide. But winning here and last month at Dubai gave him two more this year. Muster has won 43 career ATP titles, including the 1995 French Open.
"After the French Open, this is probably the biggest win of my career," Muster said.
Muster had not reached a United States final since tragedy struck here eight years ago and Ivan Lendl won the championship match in a walkover. That was the most recent Lipton title won by a non US player until Sunday.
Muster's career nearly ended in 1989 when a drunken driver's car struck him as he unloaded sacks from a car trunk in front of a Miami restaurant. Muster suffered torn left knee ligaments and needed six months to recover.
"It's very emotional for me," Muster said. "After eight years ago, today is the greatest day of justice I could ever get."
