Pete Sampras hopes first-round win the start of something good
July 30, 2002
Pete Sampras displayed flashes during his first-round Tennis Masters Canada win Tuesday night of the style that made him the No. 1 tennis player in the world. That seems like such a long time ago.
The 30-year-old American, 14 years a pro, has played 30 tournaments without a trophy since his 2000 Wimbledon triumph. His world ranking was an unlucky 13 upon his arrival for this ATP Tour event.
His 7-6 (6), 5-7, 6-4
win over longtime nemesis Wayne Ferreira of South Africa was an encouraging
indication he's on his way back. He'll play Hyung-Taik Lee of Korea in the
second round Wednesday.
"It's just great to win a match," he said after beating Ferreira. "It's been a struggle."
He's 18-14 in matches this year.
Sampras has won 63 titles in his illustrious career and more than $42 million in prize money, but the ongoing slump has him in a quandary.
The most recent indignity to beset Sampras was a second-round loss to 180th-ranked Swiss nobody George Bastl at Wimbledon this summer.
He had his hands full with Ferreira, too. They'd split 12 previous matches so Sampras knew beforehand he was in for a demanding night's work.
"My goal was to be aggressive, to take the offensive because that's my game," he said. "I wanted to chip and charge."
That he did.
Sampras was in danger of losing the first-set tie-break to Ferreira when the South African reeled in a three-point deficit to level the 'breaker at 6-6. "It was very tight," said Sampras of the tie-break, which he ultimately won 8-6. "I was up 5-2 and thought I was in control of the match. When he came back I was a little disappointed and frustrated, but you have to regroup."
Sampras also almost let Ferreira back into the match late in the third set when, serving for the match at 5-4, 40-0, the South African clawed back. "I was up 40-0 and felt that I was in pretty good shape. I hit a close forehand, which could have been either way. On the next point I thought I hit a clean ace, at least it felt like one. Suddenly it was 40-30, and I got a little nervous.
"I thought we both played really well. It was a high level of tennis. I felt like I was on my game and I was serve and volleying well. It was a great match confidence wise. Mentally I hung in there. It was my goal to be aggressive and be offensive, because that's my game."
"It was a little but frustrating but you have to regroup," he said of failing to finish off the South African in straight sets.
Ferreira won the first game of the third set, and the players went to deuce eight times before Sampras made it 1-1.
"That kind of changed the momentum," he said.
Sampras moved in front 2-1, then 3-1, and held serve to close out the match in front of 8,000 spectators. He finished with 23 aces, a spring in his step, and some much-needed confidence.
"If I can serve the way I did tonight, I can take more chances," he said. "I thought we both played really well.
"It was high-level tennis."
It's a stratosphere he'd like to stay in - for a change.
Sampras was eliminated in the round of 16 at the Australian Open by Marat Safin of Russia last winter. At the French Open, he was knocked out of the first round by little-known Andrea Gaudenzi of Italy. Wimbledon was the bottom of the barrel.
Having recently reunited with coach Paul Annacone, Sampras is convinced he's on the way back up.
"We've had some heart-to-hearts," he said. "He knows the things to say.
"We're a great team and I'm happy we're back together."
It might be exactly what he needs.
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