Federer Beats Sampras in MSG Exhibition

[March 11, 2008]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Roger Federer, in his ultra-modern all-black getup, and Pete Sampras, in his old-school all-white outfit, showed off the skills that earned them a combined 26 Grand Slam titles and more than a decade of No. 1 rankings.

It was an exhibition, yes, but Federer still flicked his fancy strokes from all angles, just the way he does on tennis' grandest stages these days.

Sampras still smacked big forehands and bigger aces, just the way he did back in his day.

Federer is closing in on Sampras' record of 14 major tennis championships, a mark that truly exists only in black in white, written in a record book. For nearly 2 1/2 hours, before an appreciative and occasionally raucous gathering of 19,690 at Madison Square Garden, these two living, breathing greats of the game shared a court.

Pistol Pete vs. The Federer Express.

The Past vs. The Present.

"Good vs. Evil," as Sampras said with a snicker earlier in the day.

And, as one might expect, youth was served.

Current No. 1 Federer beat former No. 1 Sampras 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6) in an encounter that certainly doesn't settle the "Who is better?" debate, given that one participant is 26 and the other is 36, and nothing more than bragging rights was on the line. It did, however, raise tennis' profile, make both men some money -- $1 million for Federer, less for Sampras -- and, well, allow people to say they saw Sampras, the best of his generation, face Federer, the best of his.

No one can say they saw Ali face Tyson in a boxing ring. Or Hogan face Woods on a golf course.

Tiger Woods, who happens to be pals with Federer, sat in the front row Monday, part of a sellout crowd that included Donald Trump, Regis Philbin and Anna Wintour. They sat around a blue, hard court, set up where the NBA's Knicks and NHL's Rangers play.

"This is maybe why so many people came out: You don't often get the No. 1 in his prime playing against maybe the greatest player of all time," said Federer, who recently recovered from a bout of mononucleosis that he thinks contributed to losses in his past two tour matches.

After Monday's match, Federer referred to Sampras as "my childhood hero."

It was the fourth Federer-Sampras exhibition; Federer won two of their three encounters in Asia late last year.

"I thought I had him there for a split second," said Sampras, who led 5-2 in the third set Monday.

The two only played one real match, back at Wimbledon in 2001, when an up-and-coming Federer edged an on-the-way-out Sampras in a five-setter on Centre Court.

That ended Sampras' 31-match winning streak at the All England Club; he would never add to his seven titles there. Federer would go on to win five consecutive championships at Wimbledon, a streak that he will try to extend this summer.

Sampras retired with 14 Grand Slam singles trophies, the last at the 2002 U.S. Open, the final tournament of his career. Federer's count is already up to 12, and Sampras acknowledges he fully expects the record to change hands -- and that the kid could wind up with 18 or 19 Slams.

On this night, Sampras showed off the serve-and-volley style that carried him to a record six straight years ranked No. 1. And Federer showed off the all-court game that has helped him enjoy a record streak of more than 200 consecutive weeks ranked No. 1.

Both players took things seriously at times. They also took things frivolously at times, such as when Sampras spiked his racket to the court in mock disgust at a line call. He glanced at Federer with a wink and smile and sheepishly continued play.

Moments later, Sampras hit a volley winner and pumped his fist and threw two uppercuts, proudly playing to the crowd in a way he rarely did during a professional career marked by equal doses of excellence and stoicism.

Before the match, Sampras spoke about hoping to find "some old magic" -- enough just to keep things interesting. He did that and more, earning his first break point with a cross-court forehand winner that would win a real point in a real match in a real tournament right now.

"You still got it, Pete!" rang a cry from the stands.

And right on cue, as if to remind that spectator and maybe even himself that he enjoys retirement, Sampras proceeded to miss three consecutive shots and lose that game.

"It's just amazing to see how well Pete still hangs in there," Federer said afterward.

If there are tennis fans or insiders who harbor doubts or hold debates about which of these two was or is greater, Sampras sure sounded before the match like someone who's made up his mind. He lavished praise on Federer as they sat elbow-to-elbow during a packed news conference Monday morning at a restaurant across the street from Central Park.

Thinking back on their lone professional encounter, seven years ago, Sampras was quick to point out: "I knew back then that he was special."

Why?

Sampras nearly ran out of breath as he strung together a series of compliments, one right after the other.

"Roger moves great, he hits the ball great on the run, he serves very well, he can come in if he wants to, stay back. He possesses the best forehand in the game. He's got the best mind out there," Sampras said.

Not finished, Sampras continued the fawning moments later: "His movement is incredible -- what he's able to do on the run. I've played quick movers before, but he moves great. That's what separates him from the rest. He has the whole package. There's nothing he can't do. It's really incredible."

[Associated Press; By HOWARD FENDRICH]

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