London - Pete Sampras didn't mange to reach the weekend
final of the BlackRock Masters. But the American's first return to
London in six years still provoked a wave of pleasant nostalgia for
the seven-time Wimbledon winner.
Sampras fell 7-6 (10-7), 7-6 (10-5) at the penultimate hurdle at
the elite senior event at the Royal Albert Hall, going down to Cedric
Pioline.
But even in defeat, the 37-year-old from Los Angeles was wondering
why he stayed away so long from the city where he carved his tennis
reputation.
'This place brings back memories,' he said of the capital, rainy
for much of the winter week. 'Just being here and seeing the British
people...it was good to be back.'
The American said that every trip through the city reminds him of
his past glories. 'When you drive around the streets here, I think
about my titles. I think about my wins.'
Painful past history may have kept Sampras away from the UK until
now - his last Wimbledon appearance was a second-round loss to Swiss
journeyman George Bastl just two months before retiring with a
concluding US Open title, his 14th major and the all-time record.
Pioline had never previously beaten Sampras in nine attempts, but
he produced some explosive tennis to topple the American
'This is a great feeling,' said the Frenchman. 'I tried to hold my
serve and today I was reading his serve pretty good as well.
'It was a close match in the end and it's so great to finally
shake Pete's hand as a winner.'
Sampras called the match 'a dog fight.'
'I was really impressed with Cedric and he was returning better
today than he used to way back when. I had my chance there in the
first but I took my foot off the pedal serving for the set and he
produced some great shots.
'It was competitive and I wanted to win so I'm disappointed I
didn't make the final, but at least the crowd enjoyed it.'
Pioline was facing Briton Greg Rusedski in the final.
USA
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