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.
