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Sampras serves like his old self in losing effort at SAP Open exhibition

Sampras serves like his old self in losing effort at SAP Open exhibition

Sampras serves like his old self in losing effort at SAP Open exhibition

Published on Febuary 8th, 2010
Published on Febuary 8th, 2010
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SAN JOSE, Calif. , Spain

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Pete Sampras showed off that old brilliant serve. The rest of the retired star's game is lacking a bit these days.

Sampras hung tough against a top player 12 years his junior in the second set of his 6-3, 7-6 (2) loss to Spain's Fernando Verdasco in a 56-minute exhibition match Monday night at the SAP Open. Sampras received a rousing standing ovation once it was over. He waved and hit three balls into the crowd before telling everybody he "felt a little old" out there.

It was first exhibition match for the 14-time Grand Slam champion since he beat longtime American rival Andre Agassi 3-6, 6-3, 10-8, decided on a match tiebreak at Macau in late October.

© Canadian Press