PARIS: Jim Courier thwarted Andre Agassi’s latest assault on a Grand Slam title when he scored a plucky 3-6 6-4 2-6 6-1 6-4 victory over his former hitting partner in the men’s singles final at the French Open.

The actual match which ended in fierce sunshine and a blustery wind lasted 3 hrs 18 min but there were two stoppages for rain.

It was Agassi’s third defeat in a major tournament final. There were three consecutive service breaks in the final set. The quality of the tennis never soared to the expected heights and often the players like the weather weren’t sure of what they were trying to do.

Consequently the first all American final since Tony Trabert beat Arthur Larsen in 1954 often ended up as a relentless slogging match from the back of the court.

Agassi who shaved off his early week beard and who made a real effort to make peace with his critics by toning down his behavior comments and clothes had started favorite. He had beaten Courier four times in their six previous meetings.

The 21-yr-old Agassi playing in his more sober Mauves and blacks after last year’s florescent pinks and limes rarely produced the exciting brand of tennis which had removed his previous opponents at the championships for the loss of only three sets and 61 games.

Courier never previously beaten in a tournament final stormed into the top 10 of the world’s rankings earlier this year after victories at Indian Wells and Key Biscayne. He also won in Basel in 1989.

After completing his victory with an ace the fair-haired America lay flat-out on the red clay court and threw his lucky white baseball cap into the crowd.

It was only the 14th time a final had’ gone the full distance in the history of the tournament.

The last five-set final was in 1989 when Michael Chang came back from being two sets to one down to beat Stefan Edberg.

After receiving the trophy Courier paid a warm tribute to his Spanish coach Jose Hegiras.

I wouldn’t be standing here without you he said to the Spaniard who was sitting in the player’s box.

Higueras twice a semifinalist and the man who plotted Michael Chang’s successful 1989 title bid took over as Courier’s coach

Courier who hammered down seven aces in the match twice broke Agassi in the final set.

On the first occasion he went 43 clear and although Agassi charred back to4-4 he broke again for 5-4. He made no mistakes in his last service game.

Before reaching the final the ninth-seeded Courier who had dropped only four sets and conceded 77 games at the championships putout world No.1 Stefan Edberg.

Agassi reached the final by beating second-seed Boris Becker.

There have been a lot of happy moments in my life and I hope there will be many more But this is definitely the happiest feeling I’ve ever had said Courier after his win.

Referring to Agassi Courier said He’s reached three Grand Slam finals and you have to be special to do that.

But he’ll have his day. I’m certain of that. He’s far too good a player not to.

He’s been playing awfully well here so I can imagine how he feels. But if the result had gone the other way it would have made me even more determined to succeed I expect it will make him work even harder

Asked if he had changed tactics after the rain-breaks Courier admitted. I sat down with Jose Higueras in the locker-room and he told me I should start backing up on his serve

When I came back out I started standing back behind the baseline to receive and it made all the difference

A disappointed and subdued Agassi admitted The weather was real screwy and the rain breaks probably worked in his favor. But nothing should take any credit away from Jim.

I was confident and I’d been playing well. But sometimes these things just happen. I’ll have to try again another year i’ IL be back.

The fact that know Jim so well makes no difference losing against him today was just as disappointing as losing in the other grand slam finals.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 21, 1991