Sybase surprise
Sampras withdraws; Mamiit advances to first career final
Posted: Saturday February 13, 1999 08:12 PM
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Mark Philippoussis (above) should present a stiff challenge for Cecil Mamiit. Gary M. Prior/Allsport |
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Top-seeded Pete Sampras withdrew from the tournament and qualifier Cecil Mamiit advanced to his first career final by defeating No. 4 seed Michael Chang 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinals of the Sybase Open on Saturday afternoon.
Mamiit, who had never won an ATP tour match before this season, will play No. 3 seed Mark Philippoussis for the tournament title Sunday.
Philippoussis advanced to the finals when Sampras withdrew with a tendon strain above his left ankle, sustained during his quarterfinal victory over Bernard Karbacher on Friday.
Mamiit, who turned pro after winning the NCAA championship in 1996 as a freshman at Southern California, said he grew up admiring Chang, who won his first tournament title when Mamitt was 11 years old.
"I watched his game and followed his tactics," Mamitt said. "I was pretty pumped up."
Sampras strained the tendon just above his left ankle during break point of the sixth game in the second set against Karbacher.
"I hit a forehand and was caught off balance," said Sampras, the world's top-ranked player. "I felt it in one sudden movement. I continued to play on it, but it was quite sore."
Sampras said he tried to practice on the injury Saturday morning, but he couldn't run on it.
"I couldn't put any weight on it," Sampras said. "I didn't feel like I could have played a proper match. It hurt on any movement. It didn't make any sense."
Mamiit fell behind 5-0 in the first set before he said he was comfortable.
"I wasn't feeling all that great," Mamiit said. "Getting the first service game was probably what got me going."
Mamiit held serve the rest of the way, and began to take charge when he broke Chang's serve in game four of the second set.
"When I missed a few shots, I started to get a little tentative," Chang said. "I wasn't as aggressive as I should have been. Cecil is playing some good tennis right now."
Mamiit, who became the first qualifier in tournament history to advance to the final, broke Chang's serve in the first game of the third set to gain momentum, which led to his first professional semifinal victory.
"I'm not too excited about the final," Mamiit said. "I probably should be, but I'm trying to keep it low key. After match point, I felt relaxed. I've gained one of my goals."
Sampras said he expects to play in Scottsdale, Ariz., in two weeks.
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