Sampras Reaches Finals

Pete Sampras protected his No. 1 ranking for another week by overcoming the crafty changeups and treacherous spins of Australian Mark Woodforde and advancing to the Japan Open final in Tokyo. The 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 victory ensured that Sampras would have enough points to stay ahead of Austrian Thomas Muster in the rankings.

In today’s final, Sampras plays fellow American Richey Reneberg, who beat Germany’s Hendrik Dreekmann 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) in the semifinals.

In women’s play, top-seeded Kimiko Date beat American Amy Frazier 7-5, 6-4 to win her fourth Japan Open women’s title in five years.

At Barcelona, Spain, Marcelo Rios of Chile upset second-seeded Jim Courier 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-6 (7-5) to advance to the finals of the Barcelona Open against No.1-seed Muster, who defeated Carlos Moya of Spain 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.