Sampras, Federer lined up to play ‘great tennis’
World No. 1 ‘so excited’ for three exhibition matches in November in Asia
 | Pete Sampras retired from professional tennis in 2002. |
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HONG KONG - Pete Sampras will play top-ranked Roger Federer in three exhibition matches throughout Asia in November.
Sampras, who retired in 2002, will challenge Federer on Nov. 22 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Two days later, they will play at the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau. The location for the third match on Nov. 20 has not been determined.
“I am so excited to play Pete and I am really looking forward to visiting Malaysia for the first time,” Federer said. “There is no doubt that we will play some great tennis.”
The exhibitions originated after Sampras invited Federer to practice at his home in Los Angeles as part of Federer’s preparations for the Indian Wells tournament in March.
“Obviously he’s a great player, but I felt like I didn’t embarrass myself out there,” Sampras said. “I feel like I can hold my own.”
The 35-year-old Sampras said his strategy for beating Federer, who is 10 years younger, is to stay aggressive.
“Roger’s game doesn’t have many cracks,” Sampras said. “It’s one of those sorts of matchups where I just need to overwhelm him with some power and try to come in and hopefully serve well.”
In their only ATP matchup, Federer beat Sampras 7-6 (7), 5-7, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 7-5 in the round of 16 at Wimbledon in 2001.
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