Sampras Shows World Why He’s Ranked No. 1; U.S. On Verge Of Title

In a storybook profile of what makes a champion, the debilitated Pete Sampras saved the American Davis Cup team Saturday when he jumped in as a reluctant substitute, then played some of the most memorable tennis of his life.

Sore from a grueling victory on Friday that ended with him collapsing on the court, Sampras played like the world’s No. 1 in singles, teaming with Todd Martin for a swift victory over a flat Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Andrei Olhovskiy.

The 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 triumph in only 1 hour, 51 minutes, put the United States in position to win the title with a victory in either of today’s two singles.

“I was very, very sore going into today’s match,” Sampras said, “but the adrenalin starts kicking in once you start playing, once you start competing, and you don’t worry about what you are feeling. You play through it.”

Sampras can clinch the title for the U.S. if he beats Kafelnikov today. If he fails, Jim Courier will be favored in the finale against Chesnokov.