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Sampras returns to action
Posted: Tuesday November 02, 1999 06:47 PM
PARIS (Ticker) -- American Pete Sampras, out almost three months with a back injury, returns to action Tuesday at the $2.55 million Paris Open, a Super 9 indoor event. Sampras has not played since retiring with a strained right hip flexor from a quarterfinal match against countryman Vincent Spadea at the RCA Championships on August 20. That loss ended a 24-match winning streak that brought Sampras four titles, including his sixth Wimbledon crown. Nine days later, Sampras suffered a herniated disk while practicing with Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten the day before the U.S. Open. He was forced to withdraw from the year's final Grand Slam event, as well as subsequent events in Basel and Stuttgart. "I'm looking forward to getting back out there and playing again," Sampras said. "I've been anxious to get back out there for a while, but you don't want to rush back from a disk problem. I've been practicing for a few weeks now and feel ready to go full speed." Sampras is ranked third in the world and fourth in the race to clinch a spot in the year-ending ATP Tour World Championship on November 23-28. He could nail down his 10th straight appearance in the elite the eight-man field with a strong effort this week. "Sure, I'd like to qualify for Hannover and end the year on a high note," Sampras said. "It would give me some momentum to carry into next year." The 28-year-old American is 23-7 lifetime here, having won the title twice. He lost in the final last year to Greg Rusedski. In today's second round, Sampras will take on Spain's Francisco Clavet, who defeated Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-1, Monday.
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