Youth topples elder
NEW YORK — Past and present stood across the net from each other during a third-set tiebreaker at Madison Square Garden.
On one end, a winded Pete Sampras tried to summon enough energy to give the New York fans another memorable win to talk about it on the subway ride home. On the other side, Roger Federer wore a sly grin like he knew age was about to catch up to the former world No. 1 — the man who owns the record of 14 Grand Slams he wants.
Youth is served, indeed.
Current No. 1 Federer emerged with a 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6) victory Monday night in an exhibition that featured a little bit of everything — some laughter, some stellar shots, uneven play and compelling tennis.
There was even a Tiger Woods sighting.
"It was a great night for tennis," Sampras said.
There were moments when, if you squinted a bit, you would have sworn that was the Sampras of old, rather than an old Sampras. There were moments when, if you listened to the whip of the racket through the air, you would have been absolutely sure Federer was giving it his all.
And then there were moments when, as you watched Sampras throw his racket to the ground in mock disgust or saw Federer raise an index finger to celebrate four aces in a single game, it didn't really matter whether this match counted or not.
"I don't think winning or losing was really the issue tonight," Federer said. "I think we both tried to do our best and have a fun night, and that's what it turned out to be."
For nearly 2Z\x hours, before an occasionally raucous gathering of 19,690, these two living, breathing greats of their game shared a court, Federer in his ultra-modern all-black getup and Sampras in his old-school all-white outfit.
The encounter certainly doesn't settle the "Who is better?" debate, given that one participant is 26 and the other is 36, nothing more than bragging rights was on the line, and, frankly, who can truly know how hard each was really trying? It did, however, raise tennis' profile, make both men some money — $1 million for Federer, less for Sampras — and, well, allow people to say they saw Sampras, the best of his generation, face Federer, the best of his.
"It turned out to be this thriller match," Federer said.
