[anatmob]

Wednesday Results

Talente Alexander Ritschard d Filip Horansky 76(3) 76(3)

Champions/Talente (R2.1)
Henri Leconte & Jiri Vesely d Tim Henman & Liam Broady 9-7

Talente Dimitri Bretting d Mate Pavic 63 64

Champions Goran Ivanisevic d Pete Sampras 5-2 ret

Champions Ivan Lendl d Michael Stich 46 75 10-8

Champions Tim Henman d Henri Leconte 64 64

Talents Jiri Vesely d Liam Broady 62 75


09.03.2011 - Zurich

Sampras succumbs to thigh strain

To the great disappointment of the crowd, star attraction Pete Sampras was forced to pull out of his match with Goran Ivanisevic with the Croat serving for the first set at 5-2, 40-0.

Sampras had already had treatment before that game, and after attempting to play another three points was forced to admit defeat.

Ivanisevic was disappointed, despite the fact that he can now claim to have defeated his long-time nemesis for the first time since 1996! “12 years since I last played him, I started well, served well then he went for that one point at 3-2 and pulled a muscle. This guy has taken so many years off my life off me and then this happens!” the Croat said with deadpan humour. “Even if it was only a set though, it was a pleasure to see him after all this time.”

Sampras was disappointed for the fans to have had to pull out after just 20 minutes of tennis. “At 4-2 the ball hit the net cord and I went for it in a funny way and I could tell that I’d done something wrong to my quad,” the 14-time Grand Slam champion said. “I know from experience that it’ll hurt tomorrow but I’ll rest, get some treatment and hopefully be ready for Friday’s match (when he is due to face Mark Philippoussis). I won’t be 100% but I’ll do my best.”