Sampras to face Safin in exhibition in San Jose

[edberg505]

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Pete Sampras will face former world No. 1 player Marat Safin in an exhibition during the SAP Open on Feb. 18.

Safin was granted a wild-card entry into the tournament Thursday. He will start his week by playing the exhibition against Sampras in a rematch of the 2000 U.S. Open final won by Safin in straight sets. Safin has won four of his seven career matches against Sampras.

Sampras, who retired after winning his record 14th major singles title at the 2002 U.S. Open, spent the past two summers playing in World Team Tennis events and participated on a limited basis this year on the senior circuit formed by former rival Jim Courier.

Sampras played a series of exhibition matches against Roger Federer late last year, winning the final of the three matches. Sampras will play Federer again at Madison Square Garden in New York on March 10.

Safin will play in San Jose for the second straight year. He lost in the quarterfinals last year to Benjamin Becker of Germany.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_y...7YF?slug=ap-sanjose-sampras&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

[Leublu tennis]

Interesting. You don't suppose Sampras would win? That would not be a joke for Safin as it was for Federer.

 

[gocard]

Awesome! I'm going to this match and I'm a fan of both players

 

[iradical18]

Searching for tickets as we speak. Not too long of a drive from Sacramento, that makes me happy.

 

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

Is Safin allowed to totally blow Sampras off the court? I'm putting all my Safin biased aside...Safin will eat Sampras.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

LOL..already making excuses incase Sampras takes safin apart? Lets be real here, If Sampras can straight set Fed he could toy with Safin if he wanted to.

If Safin allowed to totally blow Sampras off the court? I'm putting all my Safin biased aside...Safin will eat Sampras.

 

[iradical18]

LOL..already making excuses incase Sampras takes safin apart? Lets be real here, If Sampras can straight set Fed he could toy with Safin if he wanted to.

Exhibition...That's all I'll say.

 

[BreakPoint]

There's already been a discussion about this in another earlier thread: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=178795

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

Exhibition...That's all I'll say.

Of course it isn't an exhibition, because a few posters will swear on their millionth post that the players are trying the best to win the match.

 

[PROTENNIS63]

Sampras has a solid chance to win but both players won't care since they are getting paid huge money for that match.

 

[rommil]

LOL..already making excuses incase Sampras takes safin apart? Lets be real here, If Sampras can straight set Fed he could toy with Safin if he wanted to.

I have never seen a Sampras dismantled in such a grand setting like what Marat did in 2000 US Open. Sampras might beat Safin in an exo but I doubt he will "toy" with Safin. If Safin loses it will be because of errors on his part.

 

[Grimjack]

This is just getting embarrassing for Sampras. Have a little dignity and quit parading yourself out there in this little dog and pony show. What did this guy do, get heavily invested in subprime-heavy hedge funds somehow, and now needs to do this to feed his family?

"Come see the guy who used to be Pete Sampras taking on the stars of today!"

Only thing more wretched is that people will actually cough up the dough to watch the sham.

 

[Tchocky]

I'm going to take Safin in this match. Most likely in a 3rd set tiebreaker.

 

[dirtballer]

Does anyone know how much money Sampras and Safin are getting for the exhibition?

 

[theone]

If they're serving like this is should be fun to watch at least: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DCtbSHWFRY

 

[Richie Rich]

my money is on sampras to win.

 

[Tchocky]

Does anyone know how much money Sampras and Safin are getting for the exhibition?

They could just be playing for charity. I hope they're just playing for charity.

 

[Deleted member 25923]

i love safin, safin is awesome. sampras is great too, but yea i want safin to win

 

[laurie]

This is just getting embarrassing for Sampras. Have a little dignity and quit parading yourself out there in this little dog and pony show. What did this guy do, get heavily invested in subprime-heavy hedge funds somehow, and now needs to do this to feed his family?

"Come see the guy who used to be Pete Sampras taking on the stars of today!"

Only thing more wretched is that people will actually cough up the dough to watch the sham.

Well, harshly put, but an interesting point. And it really confirms what I always thought - that Pete Sampras retired too early. At the time he had at least two years left in him, and now he's making up for lost time with all of these exhibitions. That's what I think anyway.

 

[RoddickistheMan]

I am 100 percent confident that sampras will beat safin easily. No games this will be a cake walk for sampras. should be great.

 

[Fee]

They could just be playing for charity. I hope they're just playing for charity.

Of course, the proceeds will benefit the Marat Safin Foundation for Wayward College Co-eds.

 

[Vision84]

I see Sampras winning cause Safin will just not really care.

 

[BreakPoint]

This is just getting embarrassing for Sampras. Have a little dignity and quit parading yourself out there in this little dog and pony show. What did this guy do, get heavily invested in subprime-heavy hedge funds somehow, and now needs to do this to feed his family?

"Come see the guy who used to be Pete Sampras taking on the stars of today!"

Only thing more wretched is that people will actually cough up the dough to watch the sham.

Sampras is doing it for the simple reason that the fans want to see him. What do you think the Seniors Tour as all about? People still pay big bucks to see the likes of McEnroe, Borg, and Connors. I wouldn't be surprised if the Sampras-Safin match is a sell-out. I know I'll be there.

 

[BreakPoint]

Of course, the proceeds will benefit the Marat Safin Foundation for Wayward College Co-eds.

Is that the same as the Safin Partying Fund? :lol: LOL

 

[BreakPoint]

I see Sampras winning cause Safin will just not really care.

But then again, if he loses to an old retired pro, Safin may as well hang it up and retire himself, right? So maybe he has an incentive to win.

 

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

LOL..already making excuses incase Sampras takes safin apart? Lets be real here, If Sampras can straight set Fed he could toy with Safin if he wanted to.

You cooty queen....

I take back my comment earlier, lets just wait until the exhibition where Safin will shoot a fireball out of his mouth and burn Sampras and his house down.

 

[saram]

But then again, if he loses to an old retired pro, Safin may as well hang it up and retire himself, right? So maybe he has an incentive to win.

Didn't Roger lose one of those recently? :shock:

 

[BreakPoint]

Didn't Roger lose one of those recently? :shock:

Yes, he did, and yes, Roger also had an incentive to win.

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

Orbitiz

You cooty queen....

I take back my comment earlier, lets just wait until the exhibition where Safin will shoot a fireball out of his mouth and burn Sampras and his house down.

Dirty mouth? :lol::lol:

 

[Aeropro master]

I agree that sampras will win, e may be older but his serve can still compete with anybody. I say he'll win 6-4, 6-3.

 

[rommil]

I see Sampras winning cause Safin will just not really care.

Honestly I really don't know who really cares for the exhibitions. I don't. But if Safin could replicate what he did in the US Open finals between these two players then it should likely be a fun show.

 

[Mick]

cool. A nice co-worker gave me two free tickets

He told me it's a match between Sampras and somebody.

 

[TennisLover17]

cool. A nice co-worker gave me two free tickets

He told me it's a match between Sampras and somebody.

i have 2 tickets for section 2 (behind the baseline) row 20. I bought them when the tickets started to go on sale to make sure they didn't sell out ._.

 

[Mick]

it should be a very exciting president's day for the both of us

 

[BreakPoint]

cool. A nice co-worker gave me two free tickets

He told me it's a match between Sampras and somebody.

Don't forget to bring your binoculars, Mick, as you'll be in the upper deck. Also don't forget to wear your Fila Borg jacket.

 

[Fee]

For $10, EVERYONE can see Safin play Sampras...

http://www.atptennis.com/1/en/2008news/sap_webcast.asp

2008 SAP Open to be Webcast Live on B2 Networks

 

[Leublu tennis]

What do you suppose is Safin's motivation for doing this? I know, I know, money. Does he think that this will be some kind of a come-back so he is starting all over?

 

[Fee]

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news?slug=ap-sanjose-safin&prov=ap&type=lgns

Safin withdraws from San Jose, Hass to face Sampras
February 12, 2008 SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Marat Safin withdrew from the upcoming SAP Open because of a stress fracture in his right leg and stomach flu.

Safin missed last weekend's Davis Cup tie for Russia against Serbia. He had been scheduled to play an exhibition next Monday against Pete Sampras to start the tournament. Tommy Haas will replace Safin in that match.
Fernando Gonzalez and Juan Martin Del Potro withdrew Monday from the San Jose tournament with injuries.

Updated on Tuesday, Feb 12, 2008 6:36 pm, EST​

 

[Mick]

thanks for the update. This is good news because I like haas even better than safin !

 

[Chopin]

LOL..already making excuses incase Sampras takes safin apart? Lets be real here, If Sampras can straight set Fed he could toy with Safin if he wanted to.

"Toy" with Safin? Which alternate universe are you living in?

 

[babolat15]

this will be cool

 

[Tempest344]

afraid not
http://www.tennis.com/news/news.aspx?id=118872

Safin has pulled out
Haas will be playing instead

 

[Fee]

Look at post #38.

 

[BreakPoint]

"Toy" with Safin? Which alternate universe are you living in?

The universe in which Sampras has won 14 Grand Slams and is considered the GOAT and Safin is not.

 

[BreakPoint]

I like Haas so this should be a good match. However, it's too bad they couldn't convince Agassi to play Sampras for one last time just for old time's sake.

 

[psamp14]

I like Haas so this should be a good match. However, it's too bad they couldn't convince Agassi to play Sampras for one last time just for old time's sake.

I feel the same way BP...but I'm very excited about seeing sampras play haas...I'm going to the match...are you going, to the match or tournament?

 

[laurie]

I feel the same way BP...but I'm very excited about seeing sampras play haas...I'm going to the match...are you going, to the match or tournament?

I'm sure you will enjoy the match.

Personally I would have liked to see Sampras play someone new. After all, he played Haas about 9 times going back to 1998 on the tour. Ironically Sampras also played Safin ten years ago at the US Open when he won in straight sets and Safin was 18 years old. But I'm sure it will still be a fun match as both players respect eachother.

 

[BreakPoint]

I feel the same way BP...but I'm very excited about seeing sampras play haas...I'm going to the match...are you going, to the match or tournament?

Yup, I wouldn't miss it for the world.

I'm a little concerned about Haas, though. He's just coming back from an injury and hasn't played in like 5 months or so. He even lost to Diego Hartfield this week in Delray Beach. If you don't remember who Hartfield is, he's the guy that Federer destroyed in the 1st round of this year's Aus Open with 2 bagles. Hartfield has been a pro for a long time, is like 27 years old, but has NEVER won a single match on a hardcourt in his entire career UNTIL last week when he beat Haas! So if Haas, one of the best hardcourt players in the world, can lose to Hartfield in his current condition, I'd shutter to think what Sampras would do to him on an indoor hardcourt. :shock:

 

[NamRanger]

Yup, I wouldn't miss it for the world.

I'm a little concerned about Haas, though. He's just coming back from an injury and hasn't played in like 5 months or so. He even lost to Diego Hartfield this week in Delray Beach. If you don't remember who Hartfield is, he's the guy that Federer destroyed in the 1st round of this year's Aus Open with 2 bagles. Hartfield has been a pro for a long time, is like 27 years old, but has NEVER won a single match on a hardcourt in his entire career UNTIL last week when he beat Haas! So if Haas, one of the best hardcourt players in the world, can lose to Hartfield in his current condition, I'd shutter to think what Sampras would do to him on an indoor hardcourt. :shock:

Sampras is good at his current state, but I don't think he can really toy with anyone inside the top 100.

 

[BreakPoint]

Sampras is good at his current state, but I don't think he can really toy with anyone inside the top 100.

Wow, I didn't realize that Federer dropped out of the Top 100 then! See what one little stomach virus will do to you?