Tennis: O'Brien out of obscurity to win tour title

Alex O'Brien, a wild-card entry ranked No 169 in the world, became the lowest-ranked player to win a title this year when he beat Jan Siemerink to secure the Pilot Pen International in New Haven, Connecticut.

The 26-year-old Texan's 7-6, 6-4 victory over the 10th-seeded Dutchman followed victories over the top seed, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, in the quarter- finals and the No 14 seed, Mark Philippoussis, in the semis.

The world No 1, Pete Sampras, won his first title since the Japan Open four months ago, edging out the second seeded Goran Ivanisevic 7-6, 7- 5 in the RCA Championships in Indianapolis.

The Olympic champion, Lindsay Davenport, continued her excellent summer when she enjoyed a straight-sets win in the Acura Classic in Manhattan Beach, California, over the second seed, Anke Huber.