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"McGwire just hit his 49th in the first inning," Gilbert, a huge baseball fan with a strong allegiance to the Oakland Athletics, announced to Agassi. They mixed small talk with smashes, in view of about 11 or 12 early arrivals to the Legg Mason Tennis Classic final with Yevgeny Kafelnikov.

No pressures, no drama, not even a sweat on an August day in Washington. Agassi played his $99,000 championship match with the same relaxed, confident manner in which he practiced with Gilbert. Tested only by a first-set tiebreak, Agassi defeated the tournament's No. 1 seed 7-6 (7-3), 6-1.

On Monday, the new ATP rankings will emerge with Agassi and Kafelnikov performing a flip-flop. By virtue of a torrid summer of success that began with his French Open title, Agassi will assume Kafelnikov's No. 2 spot. Kafelnikov will fall to No. 3.

Here's the real significance: It is guaranteed now that Pete Sampras will be the No. 1 seed at the U.S. Open and Agassi will be the No. 2 seed. They can meet only in the U.S. Open final, a scenario that would be another huge boost for the men's game.

"I couldn't ask to feel more confident going to the Open," Agassi said. "I'm looking forward to the (next) week off, because I think everything is right where it should be."

This was the fifth time Agassi has won the ATP stop in Washington. Those five titles cover a span of 25 matches, in which he has lost only one set.

He told the crowd during the trophy presentation it was here as a 16-year-old in 1986 that he lost in the first round on a sweltering July day and was ready to chuck his rackets and give up tennis.

Agassi smiled later when asked to recall his near departure from the game. "I considered it for a split second," he said.

Agassi and Kafelnikov both play a similar game. Said Kafelnikov, "We like to (build) up to the point at the baseline and finish at the net."

It tends to make for longer rallies and, usually, matches that require the maximum three or -- at a Grand Slam -- five sets.

"It's a pain in the ass for both of us," Agassi said of their similar styles. "We're both so physical."

Truth is, little is all that painful right now for Agassi. In a town revolving around political events on a four-year cycle, Agassi himself is on a four-year rotation. The last time he was this strong and this confident was the summer of 1995.

"After winning the French," Agassi said, "it's hard not to feel like everything is icing on the cake."

His divorce from actress Brooke Shields has made Agassi concentrate more on the game. Tennis has been his solace. When Agassi puts his mind to it, Sampras is about the only person who can stand in the way of his dominance.

Kafelnikov wasn't able to do much with him at the Legg Mason, though he did beat Agassi in a semifinal at Montreal two weeks ago.

Andre Agassi celebrates his victory and the world No. 2 ranking at the Legg Mason Classic.(AP)

The turning point came with Kafelnikov serving 3-4 during the first-set tiebreak. Anticipation helped Agassi "guess right" on a Kafelnikov return, setting up a passing shot Kafelnikov could meet only with the head of his racket. On the next point, Kafelnikov hit an easy backhand into the net. That allowed Agassi to serve out the set on the next point.

"His ego was very strong today," Kafelnikov said. "He did want to take revenge for the defeat in Montreal."

Not so, said Agassi. He just wanted to play well.

"I just came up with some huge shots," he said. "I knew after the French, going into the hardcourts (season) I could play my best tennis.

"You know, it's perfect," Agassi continued. "It's perfect, going into the Open."

For men's tennis as a whole it shapes up nicely, too. Sampras at the top of one half of the draw. Agassi at the top of the other half.

They would face each other at the most dramatic time, the final. Sampras withdrew from a match Friday in Indianapolis with a minor injury, but he'll be fine. And Agassi's title at the Legg Mason offers further evidence that he is cruising again.