Old guard remain in the hunt

Sampras put the humiliation by Hewitt behind him

P Sampras bt A Corretja 7-6 (7-2), 7-5
Y Kafelnikov bt M Norman 4-6, 7-5, 6-1
M Safin bt L Hewitt 6-4, 6-4

Tennis' old guard proved they still had some fight left in them while two of the game's hottest new stars faced each other on day two of the ATP Masters Cup in Lisbon.

Pete Sampras and Yevgeny Kafelnikov overcame younger opponents while Marat Safin saw off another young pretender, Lleyton Hewitt.

Sampras, humbled by Hewitt in his first match, showed he still had some fight left in him to ease past Spain's Corretja in straight sets.

"My goal was to come out with a good attitude and try to put what happened (against Hewitt) behind me," he said.

I just felt, win or lose, I wanted to feel like I was finding my range ... playing my game the way I normally play

  Pete Sampras

"Obviously I didn't have a good night's sleep...tossing and turning. I was just kind of humiliated.

"All you can really do is go out there and put it behind you. I know it takes a little time but you don't like to start by losing five and love.

"I just felt, win or lose, I wanted to feel like I was finding my range... playing my game the way I normally play."

Some had questioned whether Sampras was hungry enough to return at the highest level after a 10-week break during which he got married.

Kafelnikov will not step aside without a fight

Kafelnikov was equally determined not to be upstaged by compatriot Safin and fought back from a set down against Norman to open his account.

He still believes he is the most recognisable Russian on the tour and downplayed the appeal of Safin.

"When I was in Moscow for the soccer match between Spartak Moscow and Arsenal, the fans recognised me immediately.

"When 50,000 people recognise you and start calling your name, that is big."

Safin emerged from the battle of the young guns with his reputation enhanced after nullifying the threat of Hewitt.

The 20-year-old Russian is one victory away from becoming the youngest year-end number one since the rankings began in 1973.

Safin has the utmost respect for Sampras

He would also become the first non-American year-end number one since Stefan Edberg in 1991.

He can seal that win on Friday against Sampras, although it may be academic if Gustavo Kuerten loses against Magnus Norman on Thursday.

The Brazilian is the only player left with a chance of stopping Safin.

"It's nice because I am fighting for a place in the semi-finals and also for the year-end number one ranking," Safin said.

"But you never know because Pete is the best player in the world. He is getting better and better each day here."