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Red-hot Agassi dumps Sampras in Canadian Open

Andre Agassi won his 14th match in a row -- and this latest win was the biggest of them all -- when he knocked Pete Sampras out of both the $2.45 million du Maurier Canadian Open, and off the world number one ranking, with a 6-7 (5-7) 6-1 6-2 win in the quarterfinals.

The first set produced a high level of tennis, but the top ranked Sampras subsequently tired and Agassi completely dominated him from there on. "I started feeling a little fatigue in my legs from the middle of the second set," said Sampras, who had an operation to remove a wart, on July 15, and is playing his first tournament after that.

Agassi will now take on sixth-seeded Richard Krajicek, who defeated fourth-seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia 6-4 6-4.

The other semifinal will pit third-seed Patrick Rafter against seventh-seed Tim Henman of Britain. Rafter defeated Jonas Bjorkman in the quarters, 6-3, 6-2 while Henman ousted Daniel Vacek 6-3 5-7 6-1.

It's been a great tournament for Agassi, who in the earlier match accounted for tenth seed Goran Ivanisevic 2-6 7-5 6-3.

Sampras' problems began when he double faulted thrice in a row, to lose his serve in the second set after Agassi had held his own in the first game.

"It looked to me like he was slowing down at that stage," said Agassi. "He definitely tapered off at 2-0 in the second set."

"Once Pete's legs started going, he became a different player," analysed Agassi, who is on his hottest streak in a long time. "Usually he is so explosive on his forehands but when he slowed down, the forehand corner opened up and I got bigger holes to hit into."

The defeat meant that Marcelo Rios will take over the top ranking when the new ATP rankings are released on Monday.

However, Sampras stays unfazed. "What counts most is the year-end ranking," said the US ace. "Also, I didn't do too well at the US Open last year, where I went out in the fourth round, so if I can do better than that this time, I can get my ranking back."

It's been a rough grind for most players, who have had to play two matches in a day since Thursday's play was completely washed out.