Miami Flashback: Stefan Edberg sets Andre Agassi clash

The Masters 1000 series started in 1990 with the ATP Tour’s formation, offering nine premium events that stood one step below the Majors. It all started in March, with Indian Wells and Miami as the first event of the new category. The dominant figures in the opening weeks were Andre Agassi and Stefan Edberg, advancing into the title match at both events. The Swede prevailed in the Indian Wells final in four tight sets to become the first Masters 1000 champion. He also earned a chance to fight for the crown in Miami following a 6-1, 7-5 triumph over world no. 18 Emilio Sanchez in an hour and 15 minutes. Edberg saved three out of four break chances to limit the damage in his games. He created 12 opportunities on the return and seized five to control the scoreboard, especially in the opener when he was the only player on the court.

Stefan Edberg beat Emilio Sanchez to reach the 1990 Miami Open final.

Both players had more winners than unforced errors. Still, the Swede had the upper hand with 30 direct points and only 15 mistakes. He forged the advantage in the shortest and more prolonged exchanges to bring the victory home quickly and advance into his 43rd ATP final. The Spaniard sent a forehand long to suffer a break in the encounter’s first game. Edberg fended off three break chances in game two with volley winners to cement the advantage and settle into a nice rhythm. Emilio held after two deuces in the third game to get his name on the scoreboard.

However, Stefan broke him at love in the fifth game to increase the advantage to 4-1 and extend his great rhythm. World no. 3 held at 15 in the next game after a volley winner and sealed the opener with another break a few minutes later thanks to a volley winner, wrapping it up in under 30 minutes. Raising his level in set number two, Sanchez grabbed a break with a return winner in the fifth game and moved 3-2 in front. However, the Spaniard stayed in front only for a few minutes before the Swiss broke back following his opponent’s forehand mistake. Stefan lost only a couple of points behind the initial shot in the remaining games, waiting for a chance on the return and seizing it in the 12th game to seal the deal before the tie break and set another Andre Agassi title clash.