Tennis: Sampras regains No 1 spot in style
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.IF YOU blinked, you will have missed Patrick Rafter's sojourn at the top of the world rankings. Pete Sampras's 6-0 6-2 win over Australian qualifier James Sekulov in the semi-finals of the Mercedes-Benz Cup in Los Angeles sent him back to No 1 for his 271st week breaking a tie with Ivan Lendl for the all-time record.
Andre Agassi out-hit the unseeded and unheralded Andre Ilie, of Australia, 6-4, 6-2 in a baseline battle in the second semi-final on Saturday night, and the two Americans were due to meet in the final late last night.
Sampras said, "I cherish every year being No 1. It's different than winning a Grand Slam, more like a career achievement. It's being able to deal with the pressures of the game, not just a month at a time but years. Week in and week out, you're the man to beat."
In the women's Bank of the West Classic in Palo Alto, also in California, Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport were due to contest the final late last night. Williams beat the South African Amanda Coetzer 6-1, 6-4 in her semi, while Davenport, the world No 1, cruised to a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Amy Frazier.
Yesterday, Albert Costa retained the Generali Open title in Kitzbuhel, Austria, by beating his fellow Spaniard Fernando Vicente, 7-5, 6-2, 6-7, 7-6.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments