Federer downs Sampras in second exhibition match

Roger Federer outlasted Pete Sampras 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5) in the second of three Asian exhibition matches.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Reigning world No. 1 Roger Federer took down former top-ranked star Pete Sampras for the second time in three days, as the Super Swiss outlasted the 36-year-old American 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-5) in the second of three Asian exhibition matches on Thursday.

Federer will look for the clean sweep on Saturday as this three-match series concludes in Macau, China.

“I am really, really impressed by the way he’s been playing,” Federer said about Sampras. “He’s got the most incredible serve you know. I can’t read it, he serves it to the line, he serves harder than me.”

In their only ATP meeting, Federer defeated Sampras in five sets in the fourth round at Wimbledon back in 2001. The seven-time Wimbledon champion Sampras was the reigning four-time Wimbledon champ at the time.

“I had a taste of what the best is and I think Roger has that extra gear,” said Sampras. “He has good volleys and he has this little backhand flick that honestly, I have never seen before… it’s something that I didn’t have.”

In Sampras’ last official match, he beat his long-time rival Andre Agassi in the 2002 U.S. Open final. The six-time year-end No. 1 officially retired from the tour the following year.

The reigning four-time year-end No. 1 Federer is currently the reigning five- time Wimbledon titlist and within two victories of equaling Sampras’ Grand Slam total of 14.

Federer is fresh off his fourth Masters Cup title in five years, as he corralled yet another championship in Shanghai this past Sunday.

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