Tennis: Moya's party is cut short

MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS gave Carlos Moya little time to celebrate his world No 1ranking, beating the fourth-seeded Spaniard in five sets yesterday in the Champions Cup final at Indian Wells, California.

The unseeded Australian captured the first Super Nine title of his career and his second ATP Tour title of the year 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. He will get no bonus points for beating the world No 1, though, because Moya's new status as the world's top player did not become official until today. But Philippoussis can look forward to moving from 16th to a career-high 11th in the world after taking the title on his first match point with his 23rd ace.

Moya will replace Pete Sampras as the world's top player by virtue of his semi-final victory on Saturday over the Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten on Sturday, but he showed no signs of a hangover as he launched into the exciting final.

Serena Williams gave another indication of her potential to become one of the top players in the women's game by overcoming a sore knee and Steffi Graf to claim her second career title in the final of the Evert Cup at the same venue on Saturday.

Williams, the unseeded 17-year-old American, beat the fifth-seeded former world No 1 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 in one hour 45 minutes. "I'm so excited," Williams said. "I don't know how many matches I've won in a row but it's seven to win a Slam. I'm prepared to do that."