Agassi Suffers Shanghai Surprise

Andre Agassi's hopes of taking over Lleyton Hewitt as world No1 have taken a severe blow as he was thrashed 7-5, 6-1 by Jiri Novak at the Masters Cup in Shanghai.

Agassi can still overtake the Australian Hewitt, who plays Carlos Moya later today, but the manner of his defeat to the Czech in the group match will have done nothing to improve his confidence.

After leading 5-2 in the first set the 32-year-old American capitulated, and his Czech opponent - who had never taken a set off him before this match - went on to win five games in a row and clinch the set.

Agassi won the first game of the second set, but failed to take another as Novak completely dominated in every area.

Although defeat does not mean Agassi is eliminated from the season-ending finale, his final chance to wrestle the world No1 ranking from Lleyton Hewitt now looks slim.

To become the oldest year-end number one, Agassi must win the £2.3m title and hope that Hewitt loses in the semi-finals, having lost at least one group match.

Marat Safin is Hewitt's final opponent in his group, while Agassi still faces Roger Federer and Juan Carlos Ferrero.

Marat Safin's Masters Cup chances had decreased earlier in the day when the Russian threw away a one-set lead to crumble 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to Spain's Albert Costa.

The Russian is still not technically eliminated from the season-ending finale, but his chances of qualifying from his group now look bleak after he lost to another Spaniard, Carlos Moya, on the first day of action.

Costa, himself beaten by world No1 Lleyton Hewitt yesterday, proved too consistent for Safin and recorded his first indoor victory of the season.