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You are in: Special Events: 2000: US Open Tennis |
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Saturday, 9 September, 2000, 21:17 GMT 22:17 UK
Sampras blitzes Hewitt
Sampras now plays another rising star, Marat Safin
Pete Sampras beat Lleyton Hewitt 7-6 6-4 7-6
Pete Sampras will compete for his fifth US Open title after beating teenage sensation Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets on Saturday, the 10th anniversary of Sampras' first Grand Slam crown. The 29-year-old Sampras worked his serve and volley brilliance on the lightning quick Australian to reach his sixth US Open final. The fourth-seeded Sampras will go for his 14th career Grand Slam title against another rising star in the men's game, 20-year-old Russian Marat Safin, who disposed of a fatigued Todd Martin 6-3 7-6 7-6 in the day's first semi-final. "After last year being home with a bad back, it was tough not being here, but I got myself back in shape and I'm glad I'm back in the final of such a great event," Sampras said.
In addition to putting himself in position to add to his record number of Grand Slam titles, Saturday's win puts Sampras on top of the ATP Champions Race standings for the first time this year.
Despite the convincing scoreline, Sampras was somewhat lucky to get out in straight sets. He survived two set points in the first-set tiebreaker, including one in which his opponent had the set in his pocket only to push a forehand pass just wide. Hewitt, the youngest US Open semi-finalist since Sampras in 1990, was also up a break early in the third set at 3-0 but surrendered the initiative in the seventh game. The fiercely competitive ninth seed later led 5-4 in the tie-break. But the seven-time Wimbledon champion took the last three points, reaching match point on one of his much-vaunted overheads.
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