Rios Takes Over Top Ranking By Defeating Agassi For Title

Marcelo Rios is the new No. 1 in tennis.

The Chilean, inspired by a Davis Cup-type atmosphere, claimed the top ranking Sunday by beating Andre Agassi 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in the final at the Lipton Championships.

While the raucous crowd that included hundreds of South Americans traded chants of “Chi-le! Chi-le” and “U-S-A! U-S-A!,” Rios rose to the occasion with a near-flawless performance.

Rios, who entered the tournament at No. 3, will end Pete Sampras’ streak of 102 consecutive weeks atop the rankings today. The 22-year-old native of Santiago is the first South American to be No. 1 since the ATP rankings began in 1973.

Sampras was upset in the third round by Wayne Ferreira.

Rios is only the second player to earn the No. 1 ranking without having won a Grand Slam. The other was Ivan Lendl in 1983, who went on to win eight majors.

Rios earned the most prestigious title of his career Sunday and a first prize of $360,000. Agassi received $190,000 and climbed to 22nd in the rankings.