Sampras Rebounds

Pete Sampras took advantage Wednesday of a format that offers losers a second chance and stayed on course for his fourth ATP Tour World Championship title.

Rebounding from a surprise threeset loss to Carlos Moya a day earlier, Sampras downed big-serving Greg Rusedski 6-4, 7-5.

The $3.3 million tournament brings together the top eight players in the world, split into two groups. The top two from each group advance to the semifinals.

In other matches, Yevgeny Kafelnikov beat Jonas Bjorkman 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) and Patrick Rafter beat Moya 6-4, 6-2.