McEnroe Implodes, Bruguera Eyes No 1 at Seniors Rome

McEnroe was beaten Tuesday at the claycourt Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions event by Cedric Pioline, who countered the American's attacking game in a 6-3, 6-4 win.

One young fan was handed one of McEnroe's smashed rackets mid-way through the match.

"He's still moving really well but clay is not his favorite surface," Pioline said of McEnroe. "I served pretty well and it was difficult for him to put me under pressure."

Despite Pioline's win it was Renzo Furlan who advanced to the Wednesday final where he will face former French Open champ Sergi Bruguera.

"I was surprised with Renzo," said Pioline of the Italian playing in his first senior event of the year. "He beat me quite easily a couple of days ago and he's playing really well. So for me he's the favorite for the final tomorrow."

Pioline will play the 3rd-4th place playoff match against French countryman Henri Leconte, who beat Switzerland's Claudio Mezzadri 4-6, 7-6(7), 10-5.

A win for Bruguera in the final would elevate him to the No. 1 World Senior Ranking, bumping Marcelo Rios. Furlan could debut at No. 7 with a win in his first event of 2006.

2006 TENNIS-X.COM WORLD SENIOR RANKINGS
(through May 7)

1. Marcelo Rios (800 pts.)
2. Jim Courier (600)
3. John McEnroe (575)
4. Sergi Bruguera (480)
5T. Pat Cash (450)
5T. Cedric Pioline (450)
7T. Richard Krajicek (400)
7T. Todd Martin (400)
9. Thomas Muster (375)
10. Carlos Costa (250)

The Tennis-X.com World Senior Rankings is a cumulative ranking for senior tour players combining results from the Merrill Lynch Tour of Champions in Europe, and the Outback Champions Series in the U.S.