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Russian Routes Sampras

© Joel Hunt

20 year old Marat Safin has inflicted Pete Sampras' worst ever grand slam defeat, smashing him in straight sets in the US Open final. The powerful Russian won 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in an astonishing display which took only 98 minutes. This, coupled with Lleyton Hewitt's semi-final effort has surely heralded the arrival of the younger brigade; attempting to usurp the old guard of Sampras and Agassi.

Safin's win was equally as stunning as a 19 year old Pete Sampras' straight sets win for his first grand slam title 10 years ago at the same event. Perhaps it was even more impressive, since Sampras was a very heavy favourite against Safin whereas in 1990 Agassi was only a narrow favourite.

The only other man to win the US Open prior to turning 21 was John McEnroe. That, coupled with the Russian's incredibly calm nerves under pressure indicates that as a tennis player he is indeed something special.

Safin seems similar in his game to the other top Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov. Hopefully he will be able to maintain his temperament consistently in grand slams, something which Kafelnikov has failed to do.

Safin got a ringing endoresment from Sammpras.

"He's the future of the game. He's going to win many majors. It reminded me of when I was 19. I steamrolled Andre [Agassi]. Well, I got steamrolled today. It was weird. Usually at the ceremony, I get to hold up the big trophy."

But Sampras warned he wasn't ready to write himself off just yet.

"I don't want to say changing of the guard. I'll be back."

But unlike in the past where Sampras has generally dominated the game, his gradual decline coupled with rising new stars such as Safin will make for a much more exciting and competitive tennis tour in the months ahead.

Tennis News

Newport Open: Peter Wessels def. Jens Knippschild, 7-6, 6-3

Stuttgart Open: Franco Squillari def. Gaston Gaudio, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 Dutch Open: Magnus Gustafsson def. Raemon Sluiter, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 Umag Open: Marcelo Rios def. Mariano Puerta, 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 6-3 Kitzbuhel Open: Alex Corretja def. Emilio Alvarez, 6-3, 6-1, 3-0, retired

Los Angeles Open: Michael Chang def. Jan-Michael Gambill, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, retired

San Marino Open: Alex Calatrava def. Sergi Bruguera, 7-6 (9-7), 1-6, 6-4 Toronto Open: Marat Safin def. Harel Levy, 6-2, 6-3

Apologies for the lateness of this article, which was not avoidable due to illness. To make up for this the next article will be published at the start of October, and will be monthly from then on.

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