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Off to a good start

Sampras begins clay-court season with doubles win

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Posted: Monday April 12, 1999 07:21 PM

Pete Sampras is trying to get some practice on clay to improve his chances at the French Open. Clive Brunskill/Allsport

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- Top-ranked Pete Sampras opened his clay-court season Monday, teaming with Britain's Tim Henman for a doubles victory in the Open Seat Godo.

The American star, who begins singles play Wednesday, is preparing for the French Open -- the only Grand Slam event he has not won.

"I'm trying to figure out how to play well on clay," Sampras said. "I'm going to have to come into the net, serve and volley, and not stay back if I want to win the French. The field in the Godo is very strong. I haven't played too many matches this year, and I wanted to get some under my belt."

Sampras and Henman beat Spain's Felix Mantilla and Fernando Vicente 6-3, 7-6 (10-8).

Defending champion Todd Martin of the United States also opens singles play Wednesday. He lost to Spain's Alberto Costa on Sunday in the final of the Estoril Open in Portugal.

"I've been very happy with the way I've been playing," Martin said. "I didn't play that well in the final at Estoril, but I was pleased with the rest of my matches. I'm in good shape and looking forward to this tournament."

Martin's 1998 victory was his first since undergoing elbow surgery in 1997, and marked the beginning of his climb to No. 8 in the ATP Tour rankings.

"One thing that will be different about my game is that I am more confident that I can keep points going defensively," he said. "I don't feel the urgency I always did to be on the offensive."

Chile's Marcelo Rios and Spain's Carlos Moya also are in the field.

Spain's Alberto Berasategui, the runner-up last year, advanced to the second round Monday, beating France's Arnaud Di Pasquale 6-3, 6-2.

In other first-round matches, Russia's Marat Safin beat Spain's Oscar Serrano 6-1, 7-6 (7-5). Romania's Andrei Pavel defeated Spain's Carlos Costa 6-3, 6-7 (7-5), 6-1. Morocco's Karim Alami beat Sweden's Magnus Gustafsson 4-6, 6-1, 6-2; and Morocco's Younes El Ayanoui defeated Sweden's Magnus Larsson 7-5, 6-3.

 

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