November 20, 2007
Federer defeats Sampras in exhibition
By JOHN DUERDEN
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) --- If Roger Federer expected an easy victory over his balding opponent, he found out early in their exhibition match that Pete Sampras still has his powerful serve.
The world's top-ranked player came back to beat the man he is chasing for the all-time Grand Slam titles record. Federer won 6-4, 6-3 on Tuesday in the first of three Asian exhibitions. These tennis greats of the past and present meet again Thursday in Kuala Lumpur and Saturday in Macau.
"Pete was one of my idols growing up and it's great to play him," Federer said. "It wasn't easy for me; it wasn't easy for him as he's been retired five years. I am No. 1 and everyone expects me to win."
The 36-year-old Sampras brought cheers from the crowd at Seoul's Olympic Tennis Arena with two aces in his first service game against an opponent a decade younger. Sampras proceeded to break Federer's serve, then moved ahead 4-2 courtesy of a drop shot.
Sampras' trademark serves and volleys were on display, but he understandably moved around the court slower than he did during his 1990s heyday. Federer took advantage of a slew of unforced errors to come back to win the first set.
Other than three successive lobs that Federer served up to his opponent in the second game of the second set, the match was a competitive, though lighthearted, affair.
By early in the second set, Federer was hitting his stride. He completed the straight-set victory with little trouble.
"I feel pretty good," Sampras said. "I made it competitive, which was my goal. Obviously Roger is the best player in the world and I retired five years ago. I am grateful that he invited me."
Federer was pleased with the workout a few days after winning his fourth Masters Cup.
Sampras retired in 2002, a year after the only previous meeting between the pair at Wimbledon. Federer won that fourth-round match in five sets.
Sampras won a record 14 Grand Slams, but Federer, who owns 12 titles, could break the mark in 2008.
"I have no plans to come back from retirement," Sampras said. "You have to come back for a reason. I just stay home and watch Roger win on television."
21 November 2007
Federer shrugs off challenge from former World No.1
Pete Sampras, the world's long-time former No.1, was predictably no match for the current champion Roger Federer when they met on court today for only the second time.
In an exhibition match in the South Korean capital, Federer beat Sampras 6-4 6-3 in a match lasting just 61 minutes.
Serving for the match leading 5-3, Federer was stretched to deuce when he badly mishit a return on 40-30.
But he won the next two points for the victory.
After taking the first set 6-4, Federer took four of the first five games in the second set. Sampras showed signs of life in the sixth, winning it easily with the help of his booming serve.
But the 36-year-old American could only muster one more game against the 26-year-old Swiss, who put in an effortless performance.
Federer is at the peak of his powers, lifting his fourth Masters Cup title on Sunday, whereas Sampras retired from the professional game in 2002.
But the American legend had been working hard on getting back in shape and is unbeaten in three starts on the Jim Courier Outback Champions seniors tour, his first serious tennis since hanging up his racquet.
"It was a little tricky situation. I'd been playing well and Pete's been retired for five years," Federer said. "I expected myself to win tonight."
"I am very happy with my performance but I think Pete's still playing very, very well."
In a fast-paced opening set the two players traded two games apiece before Sampras broke Federer's serve in the fifth game.
The American won the following game with his signature serve and volley attack to establish an early advantage.
But Federer came back to win the next four games and the set, breaking his opponent's serve twice in the process with an array of shots.
Sampras, known for his powerful serve in his playing days, hit 10 aces in the match compared to Federer's six and put up a good fight.
But it was not enough.
"I feel a little disappointed," Sampras said. "But I made Roger sweat a little bit tonight."
"I can still serve quite well but the hardest thing for me is movement."
"I was a little careless up on the net and missed a few easy balls. But I think I will play well in the next match."
Federer admitted he was "tensed up a bit" because he was facing one of his heroes. But once he found his rhythm, the Swiss was off and running.
"When I found my range, Pete missed a few too many shots," Federer said.
"I was maybe lucky to win the first set. Then I got on a roll and started to relax. I enjoyed the match very much."
The two met at competitive level only once in their careers, in the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2001, which Federer won.
Next up for Sampras and Federer in their three-match exhibition series is Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. Their final Asian stop is Macau on Saturday.