Moya shocks, claims no.1 ranking


Carlos Moya has surprised tennis watchers by claiming the world number 1 ranking. The Spaniard achieved this feat by reaching the final of the Indian Wells tournament. He is the 15th man to reach the top spot since the inception of world rankings in the early 1970's.

Moya joins an elite group of former world number 1's, including: Illie Nastasie, John Newcombe, Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Mats Wilander, Ivan Lendle, Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker, Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Thomas Muster and Marcelo Rios. Although a surprise, Moya certainly isn't undeserving of his lofty ranking. Unlike former world number 1 Marcelo Rios, Moya has at least won a grand slam in his career; the 1998 French Open. He also won the Super Nine event in Monte Carlo last year, reached the US Open semi finals and the ATP Tour World Championships final. This is demonstrative that he is adept at winning on all surfaces, except perhaps grass.

Earlier in the year it seemed that Sampras' greatest threats were recent grand slam winners Pat Rafter and Yevgeny Kafelnikov, or the current world champion Alex Corretja. Moya had started this year badly, losing in the first round of the Australian Open and failing to reach the final of a tournament. However, just by reaching the final of Indian Wells Moya was able to move quietly past the other contenders.

Having had such an extraordinary 12 months, it now remains to be seen whether or not Moya has the desire and the class to defend his ranking. The French Open, coming up in May; will be his biggest test.

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Mark Philippoussis beat Moya in the Indian Wells final, winning by 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. The Australian reached a career high ranking at 11. His improvement has been immeasurable since linking up with new coach Pat Cash, and fitness trainer Gavin Hopper. After a career full of bursts of brilliance, as well as extraordinary slumps; Philippoussis seems to have found the consistency to match his obvious talent.

The copyright of the article Moya shocks, claims no.1 ranking in Men's Tennis is owned by Joel Hunt. Permission to republish Moya shocks, claims no.1 ranking in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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