February 6, 2011
Pete Sampras exhibition match opens SAP tennis
By Bruce Jenkins
If contrast is the key to compelling tennis, the SAP Open has struck just the right chord in tonight's tournament-opening exhibition (7 p.m.) between Pete Sampras and Gael Monfils at HP Pavilion.
Sampras' game was --- and is --- a tribute to the past, a classic serve-and-volley attack that made him the most decorated champion of his time. Monfils is a dreamer, wired strictly for the present, known to hit shots that make sense only to him.
Sampras, now 39, played explosive but methodical tennis, a bit slump-shouldered along the way, and was deemed a bit too boring for many viewers' tastes. Monfils, gangly and loose-limbed, is all about improvisation and the unpredictable.
Sampras won everything in sight, holding 14 major titles, a record until Roger Federer came along (with 16). Monfils has yet to win a major event.
Sampras' trademark: a crisp, finishing volley, along the elegant lines of Stefan Edberg, Tony Roche or Rod Laver. Monfils once saw a routine ball heading his way --- at the U.S. Open, no less --- and decided to leap in the air, delivering a bizarre baseline shot struck between the legs.
It should make for great fun at an event that gains appeal with each day of separation from the Australian Open. Granted, the big boys aren't here, but there's a healthy sprinkling of talent, including:
Juan Martin Del Potro: Known for his epic victory over Federer in the 2009 U.S. Open final, Del Potro continues to shake off the rust in his comeback from wrist surgery. He took a second-round loss to Marcos Baghdatis at the Australian Open, but struck observers as being only a few weeks away, at most, from regaining top form.
Fernando Verdasco: Last year's SAP champion is a marvel of fitness, thanks to his exhaustive Las Vegas workout regimen with Andre Agassi and his trainers. Down two sets and apparently well beaten by Janko Tipsarevic at the Australian Open, he rallied for a five-set victory and reached the fourth round before losing to Tomas Berdych. The Spaniard loves the San Jose event because "there are so many Latin people there supporting me. It's much easier for me to feel the people there."
Sam Querrey: He made a big impression in last year's San Jose event, slamming 32 aces before losing to Andy Roddick, 7-6 in the third set. Motivation is a constant issue with Querrey, who essentially tanked a match at last year's French Open because he was "homesick" and who disappointed many observers with his body language in a first-round loss to Lukasz Kubot, primarily a doubles specialist, at the Australian Open. But he's capable of beating anyone at any time.
Milos Raonic: Many thought his Australian Open breakthrough was just as impressive as that of Ukranian sensation Alexandr Dolgopolov. Displaying the fluid, powerful style of Sampras, his longtime idol, Raonic dispatched two very good players, Michael Llodra and Mikhail Youzhny, before losing to No. 7 David Ferrer in the fourth round. Just 20 years old, Raonic is an aggressive, attacking player who owns one of the biggest serves on tour.
Lleyton Hewitt: The longtime Australian Open star has embraced the San Jose tournament since 2002, when he defeated Agassi for the title. Hewitt lost a thrilling five-setter to David Nalbandian at the Australian Open, a match many believed was the best in the men's draw.
Kei Nishikori: Brad Gilbert saw enough in this 21-year-old Japanese prospect to become his part-time coach (over the next few months, between Gilbert's ESPN assignments). Nishikori is just 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds, but Gilbert raves about his movement and mental toughness.
James Blake: Who can even recall his last big win? He'd rather not ponder his Grand Slam results of late. But as he nears the end of his career, Blake still brings panache and athleticism to the court, and his fans might be wise to wish him farewell.