Kafelnikov dethrones Sampras, becomes new No 1

Paris, May 3: Yevgeny Kafelnikov was today confirmed as the first Russian to be ranked number one in the world -- despite the fact he has...

Paris, May 3: Yevgeny Kafelnikov was today confirmed as the first Russian to be ranked number one in the world 8212; despite the fact he hasn8217;t won a match in six weeks.

Kafelnikov, who became the 16th number one since the ATP Tour introduced its rankings system, overhauled American Pete Sampras 8212; who was inactive last week 8212; despite losing his first match in the Czech Open in Prague.

The Russian is not playing this week after withdrawing from the tournament in Hamburg because of viral infection.

8220;I8217;ve finally achieved my life8217;s ambition,8221; Kafelnikov said. 8220;I know I8217;m not playing at my best at the moment, but I still think I deserve this ranking. I won the Australian Open and had a superb start to the season.8221;

Kafelnikov, from Sochi on the Black Sea, advanced to number one after Sampras dropped points when he didn8217;t defend his title in Atlanta last week.

Kafelnikov has not won a tournament since winning his 19th Tour title in Rotterdam, Holland, in February.

He will be aiming for the third Grand Slam title of his career at the French Open later this month. He won at Roland Garros in 1996.

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Slovakia8217;s Dominik Hrbaty, winner yesterday of the Czech Open, is the biggest riser in the new list, moving from 31 to 26th. American Andre Agassi drops three places to 14th.

Leading ATP rankings previous position in brackets

1. Yevgeny Kafelnikov Russia 3,382 points 2; 2. Pete Sampras US 3,367 1; 3. Alex Corretja Spain 3,016 3; 4. Patrick Rafter Australia 2,978 4; 5. Richard Krajicek Netherlands 2,958 5; 6. Carlos Moya Spain 2,944 6; 7. Tim Henman Britain 2,633 7; 8. Marcelo Rios Chile 2,422 8; 9. Mark Philippoussis Australia 2,287 9; 10. Karol Kucera Slovakia 2,253 10.

LIST OF THE NUMBER ONE PLAYERS SINCE RANKINGS STARTED IN 1973

August 1973: Ilie Nastase of Romania he held it for 40 weeks. June 1974: John Newcombe Australia eight weeks. July: Jimmy Connors US 160 weeks He held it nine times in his career for a total of 268 weeks. August 1977: Bjorn Borg Sweden one week He held it six times for a total of 109 weeks. March 1980: John McEnroe US Three weeks. Held it 14 time for a total of 170 weeks. February 1983: Ivan Lendl Czechoslovakia/US 11 weeks Held it eight times for a total of 270 weeks, the most by any player. September 1998: Mats Wilander Sweden 20 weeks. August 1990: Stefan Edberg Sweden 24 weeks Held it five times for a total of 72 weeks. January 1991: Boris Becker Germany three weeks Held it twice for a total of 12 weeks. February 1992: Jim Courier US Six weeks Held it four times for a total of 58 weeks. April 1993: Pete Sampras US 19 weeks Held it eight times for a total of 267 weeks. April 1995: AndreAgassi US 30 weeks Held it twice for total of 32 weeks. February 1996: Thomas Muster Austria one week Held it twice for total of six weeks. March 1998: Marcelo Rios Chile four weeks Held it twice for a total of six weeks. March 1999: Carlos Moya Spain two weeks. May 1999: Yevgeny Kafelnikov Russia.