Sampras A Finalist

Using a powerful serve and precise returns, defending champion Pete Sampras advanced to the Sybase Open final with an easy 6-2, 6-3 victory over Todd Martin in San Jose, Calif.

Sampras, ranked No. 1 in the world, will meet Greg Rusedski, a 6-3, 6-4 winner over Andre Agassi, in the final match today.

Martina Hingis, still unbeaten this year, moved into position to win her fourth straight tournament by beating Iva Majoli 6-1, 6-3 in the semifinals of the Paris Open. Anke Huber of Germany will provide Hingis’ opposition after a 6-4, 6-3 upset of Jana Novotna.

In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thomas Muster outslugged Jim Courier 7-6 (7-3, 2-6, 6-3 in a semifinal of the $1 million Dubai Open and will face top-seeded Goran Ivanisevic for the title. Ivanisevic, the defending champion, defeated the Czech Republic’s Jiri Novak 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.