Sampras reclaims No.1 ranking

KEY BISCAYNE, March 23: Pete Sampras ended Carlos Moya's brief reign at the top of men's tennis by beating Albert Costa after Moya fell t...

KEY BISCAYNE, March 23: Pete Sampras ended Carlos Moya8217;s brief reign at the top of men8217;s tennis by beating Albert Costa after Moya fell to Sebastien Grosjean in Monday evening8217;s fourth-round action in the Lipton Championships.

Sampras was bumped from the top billing by Moya last week at Champions Cup tournament at Indian Wells, but recaptured the throne after dispatching Costa 6-4, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals.

Moya set up his own downfall when he allowed 74th-ranked Grosjean of France to upset him 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 9-7.

On the women8217;s side, defending champion Venus Williams, the sixth seed, and 13th-seeded Anna Kournikova, last year8217;s runner-up, led an orderly advance of seeds which included Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna, the fourth seed, Mary Pierce 8, Amanda Coetzer 9 and Serena Williams 16.

STAY SHORT AND SWEET: Carlos Moya8217;s reign as number one men8217;s tennis player in the world was short but certainly sweet.

8220;I think it8217;s great. I can say I8217;ve been number one for two weeks,8221;Moya said after Pete Sampras reclaimed the top spot from the Spaniard at the Lipton Championships last evening.

8220;Who knows if I8217;m going to be longer there. But at least I can say I8217;ve been number one. I think not many players can say that,8221; he said.

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Moya had become only the 15th player in the history of the men8217;s rankings to reach number one and the first Spaniard when he deposed Sampras at the tour8217;s prior event in Indian Wells.

Other results 4th round

Men: 4-Alex Corretja Spa bt 14-Thomas Enqvist Swe 7-5, 6-3; Dominik Hrbaty Slo bt 8-Marcelo Rios Chi 6-2, 6-0; Nicolas Kiefer Ger bt 12-Greg Rusedski GB 4-6, 7-5, 6-2; Jerome Golmard Fra bt 11-Karol Kucera Slo 4-6, 6-2, 6-2; 4-Richard Krajicek Net bt Marat Safin Rus 6-3, 6-1.

Women 3rd round: 6-Venus Williams US bt Fabiola Zuluaga Col 6-3, 6-4; 13-Anna Kournikova Rus bt Julie Halard-Decugis Fra 6-4, 7-6 7-5.