Pete won the toss and for the first time, Roger will not win the first point of the duel.

Pete did dump a backhand into the net, but pulled out the first game thanks to a chair overrule on a double fault called by the service line judge.

As predicted, there were no smiles in the first two games of this match. Roger seemed to know Pete came out to win this one.

It looked like Sampras was headed to 6-5 when Federer rolled a forehand passing shot and Sampras netted another backhand volley to bring an exciting ‘5 all’ deuce which Sampras won with a convincing forehand volley and striking serve to the ad corner.

Pete appeared much more comfortable chipping his returns and, at 30-love, Roger smiled and asked if it was raining as there were drips from the roof, but Pete explained he just was sweating.

At one point Federer ran down a wide forehand and passed Pete down the line as Pete exclaimed “Hey! that is my shot..” “Not anymore” claimed the announcer.

Sampras took the first point of the tie-break with a 216 km/h serve. At 6-6, (1-1) Federer played the same running forehand down the line to lead 2-1 and a Sampras forehand bouncing back off the tape gave Roger the first mini-break.

Pete took the break back by charging the net with a cross court approach to Federer’s backhand.

6-6 (6-6) Brought the clutch point from Federer. A lunging return dropping on Sampras forced a volley to the Federer forehand which Roger drove home passing the disappointed Sampras.

The smiles came back in the second set. Perhaps Pete was fully satisfied with his performance.

Sampras continued to have success charging the net with a service return to Fed’s backhand.

At risk of being broken at 1-1 love-30, Fed painted a couple lines in successive serves and then enjoyed a favorable call when Pete’s approach to the backhand sat up a split second too long allowing RF to roll a backhand crosscourt winner.

3-3, 30 all, provided a pivotal point for Roger using a backhand wrist flick to pass Sampras and avoid facing a break point.

Point of Class: Pistol Pete’s first serve at 4-5 is called out by line judge and chair umpire, but Fed concedes and asks the ump to call 15-love.

At 15-15 after a Raffa imitation, Fed drives a passing return down the line.

Sampras recovers to even it at 5-5 using a 217 kph serve.

6-6 again after Pete asks an encouraging fan if he wants to come down and play.

Best point of the match came at 4-6 as Pete sent a winning volley down the line while at a full stretch.

Federer finished it off on his serve. 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5)

Watching this match brings great appreciation for Roger and how he has helped the game of tennis. Roger has nothing to win here. If he loses, it will hurt his quest to be called the best player ever. If he wins, many will say ‘of course’ and Sampras fans may even find something to criticize about Federer in their frustration. But he played anyway, he played hard to ensure he won, he brought tennis into the hearts of many who may have lost touch with tennis over the last 5 years.

David Wray

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