Rios ends Sampras’ reign

He is the first to jump straight from No 3 to No 1 without stopping at No 2 and he is the second player to reach No 1 before winning a Grand Slam title. The first was Ivan Lendl who reached the top in 1983 before winning his fist Grand Slam crown at the French Open the following year.

The Chilean lost his serve once in the first set — the only break point he faced the entire match — and took advantage of 39 unforced errors by Agassi to prevail in just under two hours.

He claimed his third title of the season and his third title in a prestigious Super Nine event.

Rios,22, captured his eighth career singles title and third this season as he improved his 1998 record of ATP Tour leading 25-3.

With his victory at the Champions Cup at Indian Wells, California, two weeks ago, Rios became the first player to win back-to-back Super Nine events since Agassi won the Canadian Open and the ATP event in Cincinnati in 1995.

In January, Rios won the event in Auckland, New Zealand, and was a finalist at the Australian Open. Last season, Rios prevailed at Monte Carlo for his first career Super Nine title.

For Agassi, who has won two titles this year after a dismal 1997, this was only his fourth defeat in 28 matches this season.

Agassi was denied a fourth Lipton title after wins in 1990, 1995 and 1996. With a victory, he would have passed Sampras for first on the all-time list with 10 Super Nine titles.

Agassi who ranked 122nd in 1997, had risen to 31st by the start of the Lipton and will move into the top 30 after reaching the final here.