Russia’s Marat Safin has defeated Pete Sampras of the US 6-3, 6-4 at a tournament of tennis‘s ex- number ones which opened in Beijing.

Safin topped the world rating table for 9 weeks and triumphed in two Big Slam tournaments. The figures for Sampras are 286 weeks and 14 tournaments.

The Beijing tournament is part of events to inaugurate new courts in the Chinese capital.

(RIAN)