Sampras back in business

Pete Sampras: Came back after losing the first set

(1) P Sampras (US) bt J Gimelstob (US) 2-6 6-4 6-2 6-2

Pete Sampras turned on the style to crush fellow American Justin Gimelstob after a very shaky start in their third round clash on Saturday.

The defending Wimbledon champion had looked short on both practice and fitness on his way to losing the first set 6-2 but turned up the heat and eventually won 6-4, 6-2, 6-2.

It was the first time Sampras had lost a set against Gimelstob and he looked tentative throughout the start of the match, serving five double faults and delivering just one ace.

The six times Wimbledon champion, who is bidding for his 13th Grand Slam title, served four of those double faults in his first service game.

Double fault

Anxious to impress the familiar Centre Court crowd, Sampras never looked at ease in the first few games and went on to lose the set with a double fault in the eighth game.

But the second set was a different story. Sampras won his first two service games to love, pounced on Gimelstob to break his compatriot's serve in the ninth game and then comfortably served out for the set 6-4.

The champions' passing shots were falling on the right side of the line and his movement across court was improving by the point.

It took a full hour for the master to look at ease on the Wimbledon Centre Court but one overhead backhand volley showed he was back to near his best and after convincingly winning the third set there seemed no way back for Gimelstob.

And Sampras controlled the final set, looking as fit and as confident as ever to clinch the match.