21 October 2010
Chengdu Open: Sampras defeats Cash 6-3, 6-1 to win first match in China
First day of play at 2010 Chengdu Open showcases vintage play
Defending Chengdu Champion and ATP Champions Tour No.1 Thomas Enqvist (SWE) opened play at the second annual Chengdu Open by defeating challenger Yevgeny Kafelnikov (RUS), 2009's third-place finisher, 6-3, 6-4. Enqvist sped to a 3-0 lead but Kafelnikov stayed his opponent's momentum in a long deuce game, alternating errors and winners before stringing together two winners to get on the board. Enqvist only needed one break to take the first set, and two in the second after the players traded breaks.
The second slate pitted two Davis Cup captains against one another: Guy Forget (FRA), a core member of Davis Cup-winning teams in 1991 and 1996 who has led France to the upcoming December Davis Cup finals, and Paradorn Srichaphan (THA), whose career high ATP World Tour No. 9 ranking made him the highest ranked player from Asia in history. Forty-two year old Forget won the intergenerational matchup over his 31-year old counterpart 6-4, 7-6(1), showcasing the great movement, pinpointed powerful serves and the deft hands that propelled him to 28 doubles titles on the ATP Tour.
"I got a bit lucky on a few points, and served quite well," said Forget, "But I don't feel that old --- although I suppose I am."
Srichaphan admitted, "[Before] the match, I kind of didn't know what to expect, but when we warmed up, I knew I could expect to be moving a lot today. He had a lot of good points today. Still in good shape."
The third match also displayed quick hands and booming serves as Pat Rafter (AUS), a two-time US Open Champion (1997-1998) and two-time Wimbledon finalist (2000-2001) took on Greg Rusedski (GBR), whom he defeated in the 1997 US Open final. Rusedski, though a late replacement for the injured Michael Stich, arrived in top form, dispatching Rafter 6-1, 6-4. "I would trade every match I won against Pat for that one victory at the US Open finals," he said when asked if his victory today could all make up for that key 1997 loss.
The headline match featured fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras (USA) in his China debut versus Chengdu fan-favorite Pat Cash (AUS), the 1987 Wimbledon Champion who regaled fans at last year's inaugural Chengdu Open with his animated play. Sampras reigned supreme, defeating Cash 6-3, 6-1 with his trademark clean-struck heavy ground strokes and legendary serve. Sampras had triple-break point at 1-1, but Cash rallied to win four straight points and hold serve. At 3-3, Sampras whipped a forehand passing shot up the line to get the break. His play struck a chord with the enthusiastic fans, who hooted as he unleashed a vintage Air-Sampras overhead smash. The match epitomized the nostalgic beauty of the ATP Champions Tour, with the level and style of play leaving fans aching for eras past.
Throughout the match, Sampras uncoiled his backhand and unfolded his forehand with the grace of a bird spreading its wings. Sampras broke early and repeatedly in the second set, though he noted after the match that conditions were tricky. "I didn't realize there was altitude here, and Pat still possesses a good serve and volley game, mixes up his serve and is tough to break. Once I settled into the match and started feeling my range a little bit, it went pretty smoothly, but Pat is still a very good athlete."
The second day of play on the 22nd features Enqvist (1-0) vs. Rusedski (1-0) at 4pm, Cash (0-1) vs. Srichaphan (0-1) not before 5:30pm, Rafter (0-1) vs. Kafelnikov (0-1) not before 7pm, and Sampras (1-0) vs. Forget (1-0) not before 8:30pm.
"I'm looking forward to playing tomorrow against Forget, who is playing pretty well," Sampras said. "I would love to win here, but there's a lot of good players left." Yet even in a field of champions, Sampras stands out as the best of the best and the man to beat. Energized Chinese tennis fans are certain to cheer him on every step of the way.