Agassi looks to end Clement’s run in clash of sytles

Agassi looks to end Clement’s run in clash of sytles
John Brock

MELBOURNE, January 27: Flamboyant defending champion Andre Agassi takes on French journeyman Arnaud Clement in a clash of styles and cultures in Sunday’s Australian Open final.

It shapes as a battle between one of the giants of the sport and a talented, if relatively little-known, opponent who has carved his own slice of history with his unlikely charge through the season-opening Grand Slam.

The 30-year-old Agassi has collected six Grand Slam crowns during a glittering career in which he has stockpiled 45 tournament titles and more than US$21 million in prizemoney alone. Clement, the 23-year-old 15th seed, wears low prescription glasses and is known more for his speed around the court and never-say-die attitude than any on-court achievements.

He won his first career ATP title at Lyon last November, after making his first Grand Slam quarter-final at the US Open, and has earned just over $1.3 million in prize money since turning pro in 1996. The Frenchman will face a mighty task in his first Grand Slam final but has split his four matches with the sixth seeded Agassi and has won their last two clashes.