Pete Sampras reacts during the match. The retired U.S. tennis legend Pete Sampras defeats current world No.1 Roger Federer 7-6 and 6-4 in the Venetian Macao Tennis Showdown, the last stop of their Asian exhibition match tour in Macao on Saturday. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    MACAO, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- The retired U.S. tennis legend Pete Sampras shocked the present World No. 1 Roger Federer Saturday by 7-6, 6-4 in the Venetian Macao Tennis Showdown, the last stop of their Asian exhibition match tour.

    "I guess it's one for the old guys," Sampras joked at the award ceremony. He said at the press conference later on, "I made it competitive and I am serving very well."

    "Pistol Pete" displays his trademark serves and volleys Saturday. The former world top player won the first set on a tie-break by 10-8 when neither player could reach a break of serve.

    Sampras got the first but vital break of the match at 4-4 in the second set and went straight for the victory by 6-4.

    "It's been tough beating my childhood hero, but I am happy he got me at least once, " said Federer. The first two matches in the series of three were won by Federer 6-4, 6-3 in Seoul and 7-6, 7-6in Kuala Lumpur earlier this week.

    "Sorry to disappoint you, but I am not coming back, " Sampras said when asked about whether he would return from retirement.

    36-year-old Sampras, who retired from professional tennis five years ago, had won a record 14 Grand Slams. 26-year-old Federer, who owns 12 titles, is expected to break the mark in 2008.

    The two met only once before on the ATP tour, in the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2001 when Federer defeated Sampras in five sets.

    The Asian tour gained worldwide attention and 12,000 seats for the Venetian Macao Tennis exhibition match were sold out in a few days.

Sampras closes gap, Federer hangs on for win

Roger Federer (R) of Switzerland poses with Pete Sampras of U.S. after their tennis invitational exhibition match in Kuala Lumpur Nov. 22, 2007. (Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Nov. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- The third time may be the charm for a stubborn Pete Sampras after the Grand Slam record holder closed the gap on world No. 1 Roger Federer in a 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) loss in the second of three exhibition matches, which took place Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

    The top-ranked Swiss star won their last encounter 6-4, 6-3 in South Korea on Tuesday.

Federer fights Sampras in exhibition match

Pete Sampras shakes hands with Roger Federer during their invitational exhibition match in Seoul Tuesday. The Swiss won 6-4, 6-3.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Nov. 21 -- In an exhibition match between the giants of tennis present and past, world No. 1 Roger Federer defeated Pete Sampras in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.

    The match in Seoul is the first of three Asian exhibitions the two legends will play. The pair meet again tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur before heading to Macau two days later.

[1] [2] [3] [4]