World number one Pete Sampras has delayed his comeback from injury but still expects to defend his Australian Open title in January.

Sampras had expected to have returned to the practice court by now, but it will be another couple of days before he picks up a racket.

He has not played since injuring his calf during his opening Davis Cup final match for America against Sweden last month.

However, he is confident that postponing his return will not hinder his prospects in the first Grand Slam tournament of 1998 at Flinders Park, Melbourne, starting on January 19.

"It's taking a bit longer than I'd like," said Sampras. "I'd been hoping by this time to do some training and be hitting some balls, and I really hope to hit balls by the weekend.

"If that's not the case, I'll be a little worried. But there's no question I'll be ready for the Australian Open."

The 26-year-old Florida-based star completed this year's circuit ranked world number one for the fifth year in a row.

He beat Spain's Carlos Moya to win last year's Australian Open for the second time and also regained his Wimbledon title.

Sampras is among the eight-man line-up, which also includes British number one Greg Rusedski, for the Kooyong Classic, the traditional curtain-raiser to the Australian Open the week before.

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