Rios Unstoppable in Beating Ivanisevic for 5th Senior Title

The big-serving Croat was made aware of his inadequate physical condition as the Chilean ran him ragged on the red clay, at one point feigning a nap after a succession of side-to-side sprinting at the hands of Rios.

"If he practiced he could be Top 10 in the world," Ivanisevic said. "He's one of the most talented players ever -- there's Federer and Nadal who would still be No. 1 and 2, but if Rios practiced, he would be next."

Both Rios and his doctor have previously stated that the rigors of the regular tour are out of reach for the Chilean, who has had a succession of injuries that now seem to have passed.

"I don't know why Goran is talking about this," said Rios with a smirk. "I already told him that I'll come back if he comes back. But I would rather stay unbeaten on this tour."

Ivanisevic and fellow tour player Richard Krajicek will hope to gain revenge on the slicker indoor courts when the tour stops at Eindhoven on Oct. 12-15.

"I was hitting great serves, forehands at 300 kph, but he was sending them all back," Ivanisevic said. "He gave me maybe three free points throughout the whole match. I need to get fitter."

Rios has voiced his desire to be the first player to have a perfect winning record throughout an entire senior tour season, and from the sound of it, looks to be playing for years to come.

"I think everybody comes to win and I've been having a lot of tough matches, but I'm playing well," Rios said. "I think it's good that everyone wants to get fitter and better. That's the nice thing about me joining the tour -- it raises everyone else's level. Maybe when I'm older, someone younger will come and I'll have to try even harder to beat them. It makes the tour better."

In the 3rd/4th place playoff, Cedric Pioline defeated Thomas Muster 6-3, 7-6(5).

Ivanisevic's effort moves him into the Top 10 as the American leg of the senior tour kicks off this week in Charlotte, NC., with John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Sergi Bruguera, Todd Martin, Pat Cash, Aaron Krickstein, Jimmy Arias and Wayne Ferreira.

WORLD SENIOR RANKINGS presented by Tennis-X.com
(Top 10 through Sept. 17, 2006)

1. Marcelo Rios (2000 pts.)
2. John McEnroe (965)
3. Thomas Muster (875)
4. Cedric Pioline (850)
5. Sergi Bruguera (790)
6. Pat Cash (670)
7. Jim Courier (600)
8. Goran Ivanisevic (575)
9. Richard Krajicek (480)
10T. Renzo Furlan (400)
10T. Todd Martin (400)
10T. Car-Uwe Steeb (400)

The World Senior Rankings presented by Tennis-X.com 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.