Date:24/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/24/stories/2007112457662100.htm

Sport - Tennis

Federer masters Sampras again

Kuala Lumpur: World No.1 Roger Federer defeated retired US legend Pete Sampras 7-6(6), 7-5 on Thursday for the second straight time in three days at an exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur.

Both men held serve to take the first set to a tie-break with the Swiss maestro inching ahead when Sampras hit a forehand into the net.

The two met only once on the ATP Tour, in the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2001 when Federer defeated the American in five sets.

The defeat ended Sampras’ remarkable reign at the All England Club. Sampras, now 36, retired from professional tennis in 2002.

The pair were playing a one-off match here as part of Malaysia’s 50th anniversary celebrations of independence from Britain.