SYDNEY, Nov 12: Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi boosted their hopes of toppling Gustavo Kuerten for the year-end world number one ranking with opening Masters Cup victories on Monday.

US Open champion Hewitt fought back to beat Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean 3-6 6-2 6-3 in the first match of the elite, eight-man tournament while third seed Agassi produced a signature performance to outclass a rusty Wimbledon finalist Pat Rafter 6-2 6-4 in the second match of the talent-packed John Newcombe Group.

French Open champion Kuerten, who plays his first match in the Ken Rosewall Group against Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic on Tuesday, leads Hewitt by 48 points in the Champions’ Race, with Agassi another 39 points adrift.

Monday’s results (prefix number denotes seeding):

John Newcombe Group 3-Andre Agassi (U.S.) beat 6-Pat Rafter (Australia) 6-2 6-4; 2-Lleyton Hewitt (Australia) beat 7-Sebastien Grosjean (France) 3-6 6-2 6-3.—Reuters