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Wednesday November 21, 2007

Federer guns down Pistol Pete

SEOUL: The world's former number one was no match for the current champion when they met on court yesterday for only the second time.

In an exhibition match here, Roger Federer beat Pete 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.

Odd couple: Roger Federer and Pete Sampras donning traditional costumes after their exhibition match in Seoul yesterday. – Reuters
But the 36-year-old American could only muster one game more against the 26-year-old Swiss, whose effortless performance demonstrated why he has been the world number one for four years running.

“It was a little tricky situation. I'd been playing well and Pete's been retired for five years. I expected myself to win tonight. I am very happy with my performance but I think Pete's still playing very, very well,” said Federer.

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. But I made Roger sweat a little bit tonight. I can still serve quite well but the hardest thing for me is movement,” said Sampras.

“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.”

The two met at competitive level only once in their careers, in the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2001.

Next up for Sampras and Federer in their three-match exhibition series is in Shah Alam tomorrow. Their final stop is Macau on Saturday. – AFP

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