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Making a statement Quarterfinalist Sampras responds to Rusedski's claimsPosted: Wednesday September 04, 2002 1:05 AMNEW YORK, Sept 3 (Reuters) -- Pete Sampras won his 200th Grand Slam match at the U.S. Open on Tuesday, answering his growing band of critics -- and providing a withering reply for Britain's Greg Rusedski in particular. The winner of a record 13 Grand Slam crowns is without a title of any kind since Wimbledon 2000. But he played with dynamic power to stun third seed Tommy Haas 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 7-5. The victory turned Rusedski's brash predictions on their head and clearly satisfied a peeved Sampras. Rusedski had said after losing to Sampras in five sets on Monday that the American was half a step slower than at his peak, but 24 hours later Sampras snapped: "Against him, I don't really have to be a step and a half quicker." Rusedski's comments -- ill-timed having come immediately after a defeat to Sampras -- echo what many pundits have been saying over the past two years. "I lost the match rather than he won the match," Rusedski said after bowing out 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4 on a wet and windy New York night. "I'd be surprised if he wins his next match against Haas. To be honest with you, I'd be very surprised. "I don't really see it. The movement is not the same and the fitness is not the same. "I guess he still enjoys playing...You're used to seeing Pete Sampras, 13 times a Grand Slam champion -- it's not the same player," he added, despite allowing Sampras to increase his head-to-head supremacy to 9-1. But on Tuesday Sampras hit back: "I don't really worry about what he says. "I'm not really worried what Greg says or thinks. I can't waste my energy on that. "I know the days of me dominating like that are gone but I still feel that I have a major in me. I feel I play at a pretty high level." Sampras next faces young gun Andy Roddick, who said that to face his boyhood hero at the U.S. Open would be "a dream." "I hope it's a nightmare for him and a dream for me," Sampras smiled.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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