TENNIS: PISTOL PETE MAKES GREG RU OUTBURST

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Sep 8, 2002 | by BARRY FLATMAN in New York

GREG Rusedski will have to eat his words today after Pete Sampras showed exactly why he is still one of tennis' classiest acts.

Just five days after hearing Rusedski claim he would not win another match, Sampras will today bid to extend his record of 13 Grand Slam titles in the US Open final.

Rusedski's prediction could not have been wider of the mark as Sampras followed up his victories over young guns Tommy Haas and Andy Roddick, with a 7-6,7-6,6-2 semi-final win over Holland's Sjeng Schalken.

While Rusedski sits at home in London, still smarting from his five set defeat, Sampras will play his eighth US Open final of his career. Despite being forced back onto court just 24 hours after beating the tall Dutchman, 31 year-old Sampras said: "It will be a tough turn but I'm used to that sort of thing and I believe I can win it."

Since winning his last Wimbledon title more than two years ago, Sampras has seemed to be on a downward spiral and his second-round defeat to George Bastl at the All England Club seemed to herald the end and prompted Rusedki's ill- advised words.

But Sampras insists the electricity of New York regenerates him. He had never previously lost to the gangly Dutchman and after twice proving his superiority in tie-breaks, he sprinted away to victory, Crashing 23 aces in a performance that lasted two hours 24 minutes, Sampras finally finished off Schalken with a fierce backhand volley before clenching his fist in celebration.

"I was struggling a little bit early in the match but I feel like I really got things going towards the end," said 17th seeded Sampras.