Tennis New York: Sampras beats Agassi in straight sets
Two of the best players in tennis history showed they haven't lost their touch as they squared off in New York. Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, who won a combined 22 grand slams in their careers...renewing their long time rivalry on Monday.
New York's Madison Square Garden, playing host to the tennis greats as they took part in the BNP Paribas Showdown.
Pete Sampras came out to take on one of his biggest rivals while playing professionally - Andre Agassi. The two played 34 times between 1989 and 2002, with Sampras holding a 20-14 head-to-head edge.
He started strong and dominated Agassi early in this one, showing off his famous forehand on his way to taking the first three games of the opening set.
Sampras was also known for his serve and he powered several past Agassi over the course of the evening. This ace put him ahead 4-1 and Agassi was powerless to stop him.
Two games later Sampras was on serve ahead 5-3. Agassi had forced deuce but gave Sampras the advantage by not being able to return a serve and gave Sampras the set by sending a backhand past the base line.
Sampras was ahead 2-1 in the second but was down 30-40 with the serve. Agassi drew him to the net before hitting a cross-court forehand that caught him going the wrong way. Agassi broke him, tying things up at two games apiece.
Unfortunately for Agassi he couldn't get anything else going against Sampras. Tied 5-5 later in the set, Agassi seemed to have a good volley going but he hit the net.
Agassi tried to come right back and get back into the game but it was not to be. He tried to respond to a backhand by Sampras with one of his own and the ball carried too far. Sampras broke him for the third time and took a 6-5 lead into his service game.
Up 40-love, Sampras watched as Agassi's backhand hit the net and ended the match. Sampras had beaten his long-time rival, 6-3, 7-5.
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