Sampras Reaches Slam Semis

Pete Sampras defeated Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 to reach the semifinals of the $6 million Grand Slam Cup in Munich, Germany. He faces Britain’s Greg Rusedski, who beat Russia’s Yevgeny Kafelnikov, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-1 while tying his record for the fastest serve at 143 mph.

Defending champion Anke Huber, battling stomach pain, upset French Open champion Iva Majoli in three sets to reach the semifinals of the Leipzig Open in Germany. The German will face Jana Novotna, the world’s No. 2 player. In the other semifinal, Martina Hingis plays Amanda Coetzer.

American Vince Spadea gained his first semifinal of the season, beating fellow American Justin Gimelstob, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) at the $400,000 Toulouse Open in France. He’ll meet Mark Philippoussis in the semifinals.