Serious Roger crashes Sampras party
There were so many questions leading into this exhibition series between Roger Federer and Pete Sampras. Would Roger take it easy on Pete? Could Pete somehow return to the glory days, despite not having played for real in five years? Would the exhibition be more hit and giggle than a true sporting contest?
Federer’s 6-4, 6-3 demolition of Sampras in 61 minutes told us all we needed to know.
The start certainly lived up to the hype. Sampras stayed with the Swiss master in the first set and broke in the fifth game. His trademark serve stretching his lead to 4-2. Just as the fans in Seoul were suddenly contemplating a genuine contest between two legends, reality took hold. Federer stormed the next four games to take the opening set, then collected four of the first five of the second set.
Sampras recovered to hold serve at 1-4 and 2-5, even taking Federer to deuce as the world number one was serving for the match. There would however be no miracle.
“It was a little tricky situation,” Federer said after the match.
“I’d been playing well and Pete’s been retired for five years.”
As he predicted before the match, Sampras’ serve was in good order, mostly. 10 aces to 6 gave the American a nice statistical edge.
“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,” Federer said.
“I am very happy with my performance but I think Pete’s still playing very, very well.”
Sampras’ preparation was hardly what most experts would deem worthy of getting ready for the current world trendsetter. Three matches on the seniors tour, albeit all victories, were never going to provide a satisfactory measuring stick for the 36-year old.
“I feel pretty good, I made it competitive, which was my goal. I made Roger sweat a little bit tonight.” Sampras said..
“I can still serve quite well but the hardest thing for me is movement. I think I will play well in the next match.”
While Sampras was clearly out of his league against Federer, he did show enough to suggest he still could compete on the ATP tour. That’s a prospect that is not on the cards for the 14 time grand slam champion.
“I have no plans to come back from retirement. You have to come back for a reason. I just stay home and watch Roger win on television,” Sampras said.
That next match is in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. The series ends in Macau on Saturday.
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