Posted on: May 06th, 2007
Sampras Rolls Past McEnroe in Champions Cup Semis
- petepagePete Sampras advanced to the title match of the Champions Cup Boston with a 6-3 6-4 victory over 48-year-old John McEnroe at Agganis Arena.
Sampras, 35, has yet to lose a set in the event, his first since retiring following a U.S. Open title over long-time rival and friend Andre Agassi in 2002.
Three of Sampras' 762 career victories came against McEnroe, the last a straight-sets win in the semi-finals in Philadelphia in 1991. By improving to 4-0 lifetime against McEnroe, Sampras advances to face Todd Martin in Sunday's final.
McEnroe, who defeated Petr Korda and Tim Mayotte in straight sets in his earlier matches, will play Jim Courier in a third-place match on Sunday.
Showing a little less hair on top of his head but still an impressive array of shots, Sampras never trailed and won the first three games as McEnroe built up his traditional frustrations with the judges and umpire.
A seven-time Grand Slam singles winner, McEnroe showcased a prolonged argument in the eighth game of the first set and held an animated discussion with the chair umpire between games.
In the second set, while rallying from an early 3-1 deficit and spoiling a match point for Sampras, McEnroe repeatedly slammed his racket on the court, smashed a ball well into the stands in frustration and continued to berate the umpires.
Sampras, who did plenty of waiting in between points but also played along with McEnroe's antics at times, was in control throughout and secured the match with an easy backhand winner.
Martin, who is 4-18 against Sampras, defeated Courier earlier in the day to top Pool B with a 3-0 record.
Source: Sporting Life
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