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Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

Pete Sampras defeats Roger Federer in straight sets in exhibition in Macau

By MIN LEE, Associated Press Writer
November 24, 2007

MACAU (AP) -- Pete Sampras notched a win to wrap up a three-match exhibition series against Roger Federer.

Sampras never faced a break point and handed Federer a 7-6 ( Cool

, 6-4 defeat Saturday at the Venetian Macao arena, finishing 1-2 against the top-ranked Swiss player.

Sampras downplayed his victory, noting Federer was coming off a long season and he was helped by his big serve and the fast indoor carpet surface. His goal was 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."

The two players have won a combined 26 Grand Slam titles, but the 36-year-old Sampras retired five years ago after winning the U.S. Open in 2002. Federer, 26, won three Grand Slams this year and the Masters Cup last week en route to a 68-9 record.

"I'm sort of surprised. This guy can play tennis, you know," Federer said after his loss.

He put on a positive spin on the match, saying he wasn't embarrassed to lose to his idol.

"It's been tough beating my idol the last two times," Federer said. "I'm happy that he got me at least once."

Federer beat Sampras 6-4, 6-3 in Seoul on Tuesday and edged the American 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

"I hope we can do it again in the future," Federer said. "I'd like to get him back."

Federer said he thought Sampras could beat the top five players on a fast surface. Sampras predicted Federer could beat his record of most Grand Slam wins "if not next year, pretty soon."

"He's a great, great player. He's got things in his game that I couldn't do," Sampras said.

On Saturday, Federer outhit Sampras early in the match. But Sampras held his own with the powerful serving and crafty volleying that helped him win seven Wimbledon titles.

The first set went on serve. In the tiebreaker, Federer had set points at 6-5 and 8-7 but Sampras saved both. The American went up 9-8 on a missed return by Federer then took the set with a forehand service return winner.

Federer ran into trouble early in the second set, falling behind 30-40 in the third game, but recovered to hold serve.

At 4-4, Federer fell behind on his serve again. A forehand error gave Sampras break point, which he converted with a forehand winner. Sampras held serve and closed out the match when Federer's backhand return sailed long.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=ap-federer-sampras&prov=ap&type=lgns

VanIslander · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 4:55 pm Post subject:

Federer beat Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001, marking the change of eras. That is the only match between these two men that counted.

This 2007 exhibition series ended with a classy Federer act to not bring that extra gear that wins it for him whenever it matters most. Let Sampras end with a win.

Young FRANKenstein · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2007 10:05 pm Post subject:

Whew! I misread that... I thought it said Fedor.

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

Naw, Fedor's hero is probably Putin ...

renzobenzo1 · Joined: 08 Sep 2007 Location: Suji, Yongin

What was the quality of the match...
were they dicking around or playing good tennis?
Did Federer throw it or was he trying?
Is Sampras aka the hairy gorilla still fast around the court...how's he looking-wrinkled or in good touch Question

Rteacher · Joined: 23 May 2005 Location: Western MA, USA

Well, Federer said that he'd like to play him again in the near future to "get him back". I doubt that he threw the match just to continue the exhibition series - neither of them needs the extra cash, I'm sure.

Federer also said that Sampras would beat the current top five players in the world on a fast surface - and that presumably includes him (at least on some days...)

At 36, Sampras shouldn't be that much past his prime, and he's probably mentally rejuvenated to be playing these matches against today's best player, Federer, who's 26...

I don't think he can rise to the occasion every time, but on the right surface he has a good chance to beat anyone on a given day.

The article is updated a little here: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i9y7Lhl4lHzCvLtisW-Ep9NWET7A

lawyertood · Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2007 3:48 am Post subject:

From the little I watched on tv of the Seoul match, Sampras still has game. While Federer wasn't going all out or showing the shrpness of play like he would at a Grand Slam event, he wasn't slacking either.