<P> Sampras reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in early 1993, losing again to Stefan Edberg and matching the previous year's quarterfinal performance at the French Open . In April 1993, Sampras attained the world number 1 ranking for the first time . His rise to the top of the rankings was controversial because he had not recently won any Grand Slam titles, but he justified his ranking three months later by claiming his first of seven Wimbledon titles, beating former world number 1 and fellow American Jim Courier in the final . This was followed by his second US Open title . He finished the year as the clear no . 1 and set a new ATP Tour record that year by becoming the first player to serve more than 1,000 aces in a season . </P> <P> Sampras won the first of two Australian Open titles in 1994, defeating American Todd Martin in the final, and then defended his Wimbledon later that year . </P> <P> In 1995, Sampras battled with co-patriot Andre Agassi for the world No. 1 ranking . Sampras experienced one of the most emotional matches of his career, when he played Courier in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open . Sampras' longtime coach and close friend, Tim Gullikson, had mysteriously collapsed during the tournament and was forced to return to the United States . Gullikson was later diagnosed with brain cancer, to which he succumbed the following year . Saddened by Gullikson's illness, Sampras began visibly weeping during the match when a spectator shouted to win it for Gullikson, but managed to defeat Courier . Sampras went on to lose the final to Andre Agassi in four sets . Paul Annacone took over as Sampras' full - time coach after Gullikson's illness made it impossible for him to continue coaching . </P> <P> Sampras defeated Agassi in the final at Indian Wells, and then won his third straight Wimbledon title over Boris Becker . Sampras lost in the final of the Canadian Masters to Agassi, and then beat Agassi in the final of the US Open . </P>

First american male to win three straight wimbledon titles