Sampras Out In First Match

Thu., March 13, 1997

Compiled From Wire Services

Pete Sampras, who had looked virtually unbeatable in winning his first three tournaments of 1997, made a hasty exit from the Newsweek Champions Cup at Indian Wells, Calif., losing his opening match to unheralded Bohdan Ulihrach.

Sampras, uncharacteristically on the defensive, struggled in every phase of his game, with Ulihrach taking advantage for a 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 upset over the world’s top-ranked player.

In the Evert Cup, being held concurrently with the men’s tournament at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, ninth-seeded Mary Joe Fernandez beat No. 2 Conchita Martinez 6-4, 6-4 and Lindsay Davenport beat Venus Williams 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7-1) in quarterfinal matches.

The U.S. Davis Cup gained the services of Andre Agassi and the world’s No. 2 doubles team.

U.S. captain Tom Gullikson announced his team for the second-round match against the Netherlands, April 4-6 at the Palisades Country Club at Newport Beach, Calif.

Joining Jim Courier, who already had declared, are 13th-ranked Agassi, and the doubles team of Rick Leach and Jonathan Stark.

Sampras and Michael Chang had declined invitations.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Sampras Out In First Match

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Mariners’ Cole Young, Josh Naylor deliver big hits in extra-innings win

Kevin Fitzer, Max Belyeu hit back-to-back homers, Spokane Indians down Everett 4-1 on opening day | NWL baseball

WSU star guard Ace Glass to enter the transfer portal