Samprasfanz

Nov. 24, 2007 MACAU — Pete Sampras showed Roger Federer another side of his American idol on Saturday. Sampras never faced a break point and converted one of two against his opponent as he handed Federer a 7-6 (10-8), 6-4 defeat at the Venetian Macao arena, wrapping up a three-match Asian exhibition series between the two tennis greats. Sampras downplayed his victory, noting Federer was coming off a long season and that he was helped by his big serve and the fast indoor carpet surface. He had only aimed to win one set during the three-match series. “Let’s not get carried away,” he said at a news conference. Sampras ruled out a comeback from retirement, telling the audience after the match, “I had my time in the ’90s.” Federer tried to put a positive spin on … Read entire article »

November 20, 2007 Roger Federer, the world No1 defeated Pete Sampras, the seven-time Wimbledon champion, in straight sets in an exhibition match in Seoul. The Swiss won 6-4, 6-3 in the first of three matches this week. Sampras, 36, retired in 2002, a year after the only previous meeting between the pair in the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2001, which the Swiss won in a five-set thriller. But if Federer, who lifted his fourth Masters Cup title in Shanghai on Sunday, expected an easy ride he was in for a shock. Sampras came out fighting, hitting two fierce aces in his first service game and breaking his opponent’s serve, before taking a 4-2 lead courtesy of a delightful drop shot. Federer then took advantage of some unforced errors to break back and take … Read entire article »

World number one Roger Federer will play the first of three matches against seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras in Seoul on Tuesday. Federer, who retained his Masters Cup title on Sunday, will also take on Sampras in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday and Macau on Saturday. Sampras, 36, retired in 2002 but has been training hard for the exhibitions. “I am up against a very big challenge, I’ve been stepping up my practice,” said Sampras. “Perhaps I am not quite as sharp as I used to be, but I think I can still be competitive. But I’ve got my hands full for sure.” Federer said: “It’s a great honour, but not easy at the same time. People will be surprised how well he’s actually playing today. “It’s going to be difficult because I practised with him in … Read entire article »

1. MMS Video Link – Pete Arrives Incheon Airport Seoulmms://yahoomedia.hscdn.com/yahoomedia/yna/MYH20071119005700355_WMV700Kbps.wmv Thanks to member Shaw Sherman for the video link. 2. Media InterviewLink “I’m excited to play Roger. I’ve practiced with a lot more intensity, a lot more seriously the past few weeks to make sure my body stays healthy,” Sampras said on his arrival Sunday at the Incheon International Airport. “Obviously, he’s in his prime, and I’m past my prime, but I can still play pretty well.” Tweet … Read entire article »

From Glasgow to Beverly Hills. The unlikeliest practice session of the tennis season, or perhaps even of the decade, took place in Los Angeles a few days ago, with Britain’s Jamie Baker, a 21-year-old from Glasgow ranked No 231 in the world, hitting for two hours with Pete Sampras, the winner of a record 14 grand slam titles, including seven golden trophies at Wimbledon. And it all happened on a court in the back garden of Sampras’ Beverly Hills home. The last known practice-partner to have popped around for a hit at the Sampras mansion, where the retired American lives with his wife, the Hollywood actress Bridgette Wilson, was a certain Roger Federer. So how did Baker manage to secure a private training session with Sampras? It was all down to the … Read entire article »