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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

U.S. In Control In Davis Semifinal Chang And Sampras Lead Team To 2-0 Advantage Over Aussies

Associated Press

Michael Chang usually isn’t this powerful. Pete Sampras usually isn’t this theatrical. Together, they put the United States in a position that’s almost unbeatable.

Chang, avenging one of the most difficult losses of his career, supplemented his strong baseline game with an uncharacteristically strong serve to beat U.S. Open champion Patrick Rafter 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 Friday to open the semifinals of the Davis Cup.

Then Sampras, not known for his on-court antics, skipped like a child and repeatedly pumped both arms in the air to fire up the sellout crowd as he overwhelmed Mark Philippoussis 6-1, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) to give the Americans a commanding 2-0 lead over Australia in the best-of-5 series.

“The first two sets, that’s probably the best tennis I’ve played in my career,” said Sampras, a daunting statement considering he’s often called the best ever to play the game.

“I think (the crowd) thought it was in the bag,” Sampras said. “I knew it wasn’t in the bag. I’m not one to show a lot of emotion, but … there are just certain times that you need to raise your intensity and that was one of those times.”

The United States can clinch a final berth with a win in today’s doubles, when either Sampras or Todd Martin will team with Jim Courier against Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge.

Only six times in Davis Cup history has a team rallied from 0-2 down to win a match in the World Group, the competition’s top level. It has happened to the United States at home only once - in 1939 against Australia.

“We are in trouble,” Australian captain John Newcombe said. “But the fat lady hasn’t called for the limo yet, and the gargled water hasn’t been brought out there yet, so there is a long way to go.”

The winner will face either Italy or Sweden, who were tied 1-1 after Friday’s singles, in the finals Nov. 28-30.

In the other semifinal, in Norrkoping, Sweden, Jonas Bjorkman gave the heavily favored Swedes a 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Omar Camporese. Renzo Furlan then upset Thomas Enqvist 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to make it 1-1.

Today, Bjorkman is slated to team with Nicklas Kulti against Diego Nargiso and Camporese.