Kuerten comes down on Sampras

Pete Sampras took the tight first set 7-6

Gustavo Kuerten beat Pete Sampras 6-7 6-3 6-4

Gustavo Kuerten moved into the final of the ATP Masters Cup after a thrilling victory over Pete Sampras in Lisbon.

The Brazilian registered his first ever victory over the defending champion and is still on course to become the world number one if he beats Andre Agassi in the final on Sunday.

If he succeeds, Kuerten will become the first non-American player to finish world number one at the end of the season since Stefan Edberg in 1991.

The five-time champion raced to a 3-0 lead in the first set, but the Brazilian then took the next three games to even the scores.

Sampras looked set to secure the first set when he had break points at 15-40 on his opponent's serve at 6-5.

But Kuerten showed his resilience as he fought back to take the game and force the set to a tie-break.

To beat Pete Sampras for the first time is almost as good as having won the tournament

  Gustavo Kuerten

Sampras gained set point with a cross-court forehand and then took the set with a trademark ace.

But Kuerten broke early in the second to take the advantage.

He countered Sampras' serve and volley technique with a range of fine passing shots down the lines to level the scores at one set all.

The decider began tentatively as both players just managed to hold on to their serves under extreme pressure in the first two games.

But Kuerten took the crucial break in the ninth game with some superb cross-court passes.

He took the match in style with an ace to send the Brazilian supporters wild.

"To beat Pete Sampras for the first time is almost as good as having won the tournament," Kuerten said afterwards.

"He has always been an idol for me."