Juan Martin del Potro's nine career victories over reigning world No. 1 players is most among all players who've never held the top spot themselves.

The sixth-ranked Argentine grew up looking up to former Brazilian No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten and is aware 20 years ago Chile's Marcelo Rios made history sweeping Andre Agassi in the Miami final to become the first South American man to hold the ATP top spot.

More: Del Potro Rolls To 14th Straight Win

Andy Roddick, who occupied the top spot from November, 2003 to February, 2004, is the last non-European man to hold the world No. 1 ranking.

Riding a 14-match winning streak into the Miami Open quarterfinals, del Potro says its time South America had another world No. 1—and he'd love to be that player.

"I never play against Rios, but I know a lot the other guys, and they have big names," del Potro told the media in Miami. "They are two South American former No. 1 in the world, and we grow up watching them.

"I think it's time to have a South American player fighting for the top positions and will be great if I am that player."