Former top-ranked Pete Sampras hit back-to-back aces to close out the second game of the second set and draw a plea from Tommy Haas.
"Show some mercy, Pete," Haas yelled across the court.
The retired Sampras began to hand his racket over to a ball boy before taking it back. Just as he did so often during his brilliant career, the 14-time Grand Slam champion closed out the match with ease, beating Haas 6-4, 6-2 in an exhibition at the SAP Open on Monday.
PHOTO: AFP
Sampras, who is planning an exhibition against current world No. 1 Roger Federer at Madison Square Garden in New York on March 10 after a successful series of exhibitions between the two in Asia, delighted the crowd but said he had no plans to return to the ATP Tour.
"To really come back, you need a reason," Sampras said. "I don't have a reason. I have a wonderful life with my wife and two kids. I don't miss the limelight. I don't need the money. When I retired [shortly after winning the 2002 US Open], I was emotionally spent. I had nothing left in the tank. And still, there are days when I wake up and the last thing I want to do is play tennis."
Haas, who is battling back from shoulder surgery, enjoyed the opportunity to play against Sampras and get used to the surroundings at the tournament.
"Just go out there, feel the ball a little bit, and see what the court is like," Haas said. "Obviously I wasn't too competitive tonight, just kind of enjoying the moment playing against one of the greatest ever and getting a feel for it."
In the matches that counted, fourth-seeded Radek Stepanek beat Paul Capdeville 7-6 (2), 6-1, and eighth-seeded Kristof Vliegen beat Victor Hanescu 6-4, 7-6 (4). Sixth-seeded Jurgen Melzer was upset by Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (6).
Also, fifth-seeded Lee Hyung-taik withdrew from the tournament with a back injury and was replaced by Wayne Odesnik, who lost in qualifying but entered the tournament as a lucky loser. Odesnik made the most of his chance, defeating fellow US player Donald Young 6-1, 5-7, 6-4.
■QATAR OPEN
Shahar Peer became the first Israeli to compete in a WTA Tour event in the Arabian Gulf when she beat Slovenia's Andreja Klepac 6-3, 6-4 in the Qatar Open first round on Monday.
The 20-year-old Peer beat Klepac in a match in which they struggled to hold serve in front of a small crowd of about 50 people.
Despite the empty stands, Peer said she was pleased with the reception.
"I have been received with a lot of warmth by people in Doha," she said. "I have been made to feel welcome by everybody I have come across so far."
Peer was barred from playing in Doha for two years when she underwent military training, as her government prevented her from competing in countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel.
Also, former world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo of France beat Sabine Lisicki of Germany 7-6 (2), 6-3, Austria's Sybille Bammer ousted Aiko Nakamura of Japan 6-1, 6-3, and Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska edged Japan's Akiko Morigami 7-5, 6-0.
Peer said she has had time to tour Doha, visiting shopping areas and eating at a Moroccan restaurant. She said she discussed the situation with both Israeli and tour officials before deciding to enter.
"When I spoke to the WTA Tour, they said it was fine to go," Peer said. "Also, officials in Israel said there is no problem to play in Qatar. I have been provided proper security by the organizers, so I feel fine being here."
The six Arabian Gulf countries, all US allies, do not recognize Israel, but Qatar maintains low-level ties to the Jewish state.
■ ABN AMRO
Defending champion Mikhail Youzhny was ousted by Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia 7-6 (3) 6-4 in the opening round of the ABN Amro on Monday.
Youzhny blew a 4-2 lead, losing his serve twice and converted one of eight break point chances.
"I was very unfortunate to get Youzhny in the first round," said Tipsarevic, playing in his first event since the Australian Open. "I just stayed positive and it worked."
Russian qualifier Teimuraz Gabashvili upset seventh-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-5, 6-1.
■ COPA TELMEX
Top-seeded David Nalbandian of Argentina fired 10 aces in beating Peter Luczak of Australia 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the Copa Telmex on Monday.
Nalbandian is trying to win Argentina's only ATP stop at his fifth attempt. The previous best results by Argentina's leading players were quarter-finals in 2002 and 2003.
In his first ATP clay match of the year, he hit 19 winners in the first set, double those of Luczak, and was bothered by gusts in the second until he broke the Australian for 5-3.
"It wasn't easy playing out here because of wind picking up on the court," said Nalbandian, who was otherwise happy.
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