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Posted at 6:39 a.m., Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Tennis: Federer defeats Sampras in Seoul exhibition

By John Duerden
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea -- In an exhibition match between tennis greats past and present, Roger Federer defeated Pete Sampras 6-4, 6-3 today.

The match was the first of three Asian exhibitions, with their next meeting Thursday in Kuala Lumpur before a final get together in Macau on Saturday.

If the top-ranked Swiss star expected an easy time against Sampras, he found out early Pistol Pete still has his powerful serve. Sampras brought cheers from the crowd at Seoul's Olympic Tennis Arena with two aces in his first service game.

The balding Sampras proceeded to break his opponent's serve and then moved 4-2 ahead courtesy of a drop shot.

"I feel pretty good," Sampras told Korean television after the game. "I made it competitive, which was my goal. Obviously Roger is the best player in the world and I retired five years ago. I am grateful that he invited me."

Federer was equally happy with the workout a few days after winning his fourth Masters Cup.

"Pete was one of my idols growing up and it's great to play him," Federer said. "It wasn't easy for me, it wasn't easy for him as he's been retired five years. I am No. 1 and everyone expects me to win."

The 36-year-old Sampras retired in 2002, a year after the only previous meeting between the pair at Wimbledon 2001. Federer won that fourth round match in five sets.

Today, all the familiar trademark volleys and serves were on display but Sampras, who has won 14 Grand Slams to Federer's 12, was slower around the court than in his 1990s heyday. And he made a number of unforced errors.

Federer took advantage to come back and take the first set. Apart from three successive lobs that Federer served up to his opponent in the second game of the second set, the match was a competitive, though lighthearted affair.

By that time, Federer was hitting his stride and took the second set with a minimum of fuss.

"I have no plans to come back from retirement," Sampras said. "You have to come back for a reason. I just stay home and watch Roger win on television."