10 February 2010 / AP, SAN JOSE, CALIF.
Former No. 1 Pete Sampras showed glimpses of his dominating best against a top player 12 years his junior in the second set of his 6-3, 7-6 (2) exhibition loss to Spain’s Fernando Verdasco on Monday at the SAP Open. “It was a pretty rough night,” Sampras said.
“I never really felt I could get into his service games. Playing defense is harder for me today. That’s something I used to do a pretty good job at. It’s harder tomove.” Sampras received a rousing standing ovation once it was over. He waved and hit three balls into the crowd before telling everybody he “felt a little old” out there. It was first exhibition match for the 14-time Grand Slam champion since he beat longtime American rival Andre Agassi 3-6, 6-3, 10-8, decided on a match tiebreak at Macau in late October. The 38-year-old Sampras, who retired in 2003 after a 15-year career, acknowledges he’s no longer his sure, sharp self -- and it’s tougher to cover the court. His left calf caused him trouble in the first set.
