Samprasfanz

by: JOHN JEANSONNE, Newsday

March 11, 2008

Masters of the universe and tennis superheroes Pete Sampras and Roger Federer last night brought some comic-book wish fulfillment to sold-out Madison Square Garden, a mighty collision of generations for the benefit of sports archeologists.

Federer, rightful heir to the Sampras throne of the previous decade, needed all of his powers for a 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (8-6) victory amid the true dynamics of a champions’ showdown. Sampras offered glimpses of the old chain-saw serve and slam-dunk volley to make Federer earn his keep, which he did with his elegant athleticism, stylish as the faux-tuxedo black attire he favors.

Sampras, as was always his custom, played the proven serve-and-volley fundamentals of an earlier era in the appropriate “classic whites.” And not raggedly, either.

Merely an exhibition, the event was a brilliant bit of egonomics for both men. Sampras, 36, and six years past retirement, assured by his presence that reports regarding the death of his Grand Slam tournament record – an unmatched 14 major titles – was premature. Federer, 12 times a major champion at 26 who only this winter gave glimpses of human frailty with two consecutive tour losses, sought to pre-empt discussion that he has any rival other than history.

Surrounded by the furniture of 21st Century entertainment – the protagonists stepped through a wall of smoke onto the Garden court to rollicking introductions, pounding music and fireworks