MEMPHIS, FEBRUARY 21: Magnus Larsson used a big serve to overcome mistakes and win his first title since 1994, defeating Byron Black 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 at the Kroger St Jude Tennis Tournament.Larsson had never played the tournament before and entered as the 16th seed. But the Swede, playing with tendinitis in his left knee, got help in the third round when top-seeded Mark Philippoussis quit before their match because of an inflamed knee.The Swede needed the rest to survive two three-set matches and reach his first final in the United States.It looked like Larsson wouldn't be pushed to three sets as he broke black, the 13th seed from Zimbabwe, in the fifth game without black scoring a point. He broke Black again for a 5-2 lead and served out.But Black, beaten 2-6, 3-6, 6-7 (4-7) by Andre Agassi as the United States rallied to beat Zimbabwe in the Davis Cup earlier this month, rallied in the second set. Larsson didn't score a point off his serve as Black broke him for a 0-2 lead and eventually won theset in 23 minutes.Black broke Larsson again for a 1-2 lead in the third set only to lose his serve in the next game. He held game point when Larsson forced deuce with a forehand passing shot, Black double-faulted to give larsson the advantage, and the Swede put a forehand down the line to tie the set.Black again had a chance to hold serve trailing 4-3 at 40-30, but Larsson rallied with a backhand into the corner. He won the match with a forehand passing shot and then another forehand into the corner. He allowed Black only one point as he served out for the victory.
