Agassi celebrates his new status

Andre Agassi celebrated his new status as world no. 1 by coming from behind to beat counterpart Andy Roddick 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the US Clay Court Championships final on Sunday. Agassi, the top seed, trailed by a set and a break but rallied to win his fourth title of 2003 and 58th of his career, moving him above Romanian Ilie Nastase to number seven on the all-time list. ‘‘It’s already been a great year and it’s getting better,’’ Agassi said after his fourth career win in as many matches against fellow American Roddick, winner of the US Clay Court Championships the past two years.

Agassi, who will be 33 on Tuesday, moved to the top of the rankings by crushing Austrian Jurgen Melzer on Saturday, but the 20-year-old Roddick started the final well.

Roddick, the second seed, was a lifetime 16-0 at the Westside Tennis Club and was impressive in winning the first set. The youngster then broke in the first game of the second set and held for a 2-0 lead. But his older opponent went on a run, winning five of the next six games to take over the momentum.