LONDON. Apr 25: It wasn't exactly like winning Wimbledon. but It was still cause for celebration. After 17 years, a British man has finally won an ATP Tour tennis tournament, reports AP.

When Jeremy Bates de-'feated Joern Renzenbrlnk of Germany in Sunday's final of the Korean Open In Seoul, he ■ became the first British male to win in the tour since Mark Cox in 1977.

Britain's tennis writers, all in Monte Carlo for the Monte Carlo Open, shifted gears and wrote about Bates' victory 6.000 miles away.

"At last!" was the headline in Monday’s Daily Express. "Jeremy end 17 years of British failure."

■ "It is like a monkey of the back." said Cox. who now heads a development program for British junior players. "It's a terrific boost for British tennis.”

Since Cox's victory. British tennis — especially the men's game — has stayed in the limelight mainly as the butt of numerous jokes. In recent years. British bookmakers have equated the chances of a Briton winning Wimbledon with the likelihood of a verified UFO landing.

Last month. Bates led the country's Davis Cup team as It reached an all-time low In a loss to Portugal In a regional match, pushing the Brits to the brink of relegation to the third world of tennis.

For Bates, who turned pro in 1982. the surprise victory. In Korea Is the highlight of his singles career.

Though it came at one of the leaser events of the ATP Tour. Batea victory will likely Improve his world ranking from 131 to close to 100. surpassing Mark Petchey at No. 104 as Britain's highest ranked player Batea will now be eligible to go directly into the draw at this year's Wimbledon instead of relying on a wild card berth