HOUSTON (Texas), April 27: Andre Agassi became the oldest player to top the world rankings after crushing Jurgen Melzer to reach the final of the US Clay Court Championships on Saturday.

The 32-year-old Agassi continued the form that has brought him 22 victories in 23 matches this year, overwhelming Austrian Melzer 6-4 6-1 to set up a final clash with fellow American Andy Roddick.

Agassi, winner of eight Grand Slam titles, first topped the rankings in 1995.

He replaces Australian Lleyton Hewitt as the world’s top-ranked player, a position he last held in September 2000.

Agassi, the 1992 Wimbledon champion, slumped to No. 141 in the rankings in 1997 following a dramatic slump in form but recovered to climb to number six by the end of 1998.

Results (x denotes seed):

Semifinals: Andre Agassi (USA x1) bt Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 6-4, 6-1; Andy Roddick (USA x2) bt Olivier Mutis (FRA) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

Moya wins FINAL

BARCELONA: Carlos Moya won the Barcelona Open on Sunday after Russian fourth seed Marat Safin was forced to pull out of the final.

The Spaniard was leading 5-7 6-2 6-2 3-0 when Safin retired.

Moya, the number two seed, was edged out in the first set but took the next two sets at a canter and moved 3-0 up in the fourth when Safin pulled out—Reuters/AFP