Sampras, Philippoussis fall in opening round robin matches – Chengdu Open 2011
Retired champions and former world number ones, the ‘Old Ones’, returned to the courts on Thursday, 27th October after a two month break as they competed at the 2011 Chengdu Open in Chengdu, China. Sixth in an eight
event tour, the tournament is part of the ATP Champions Tour showcasing some of the best talent of the tennis world.
Participating in the event are eight elite tennis stars playing in two groups of four. Each group follows a round robin format with the top two progressing on ahead into the final matches of the event. Group A comprises of Russian
heartthrob and a debutant on the tour, Marat Safin; American legend Pete Sampras, Moroccan Younes El Aynaoui and South African Wayne Ferreira. The four other making up Group B are Aussies Mark Philippoussis and Thomas Enqvist, Spaniard Carlos Moya and Thai
giant Paradorn Srichapan.
Kicking off play for the day was Safin as he took on Ferreira. Blasting past the former world number six, Safin recorded a simple straight sets 6-2, 6-3 win to go 1-0 in the group score. Following Safin on the court was Enqvist.
The Aussie met and defeated Srichapan recording a twin set score 6-3, 6-3 win. Enqvist’s win wrapped up the afternoon session for the day.
Following a doubles exhibition match featuring Enqvist and Ferreira, Moya kicked off the evening session of the day.
The Spaniard took on former world number one and model, Philippoussis in his opening round robin match at the event. Albeit an expert on the red surface, Moya was in perfect form for the hard courts of Chengdu as well. An enthralling
battle ensued between the two superstars. Matching blow for blow the two kept the score constant at all times in the first set. For the first ten games neither player would let up. However, a costly slip up on the Aussie’s part in the eleventh game gave Moya
the edge he was looking for. Capitalising on a breakpoint opportunity, Moya went one up in the lead before serving out the set to clinch a 7-5 win. Leading the set score, Moya maintained his form into the second set as he destroyed the Aussie. Breaking Philippoussis
in the fifth and seventh game, Moya was able to record a 6-2 win sealing his straight sets win and a 1-0 win loss record at the event.
Wrapping up play for the day was a disappointing performance by the five times Wimbledon and US Open champion, Sampras. Taking on El Aynaoui, Sampras failed to exhibit his former form. Riding a single breakpoint opportunity, the
Moroccan was able to record a simple 6-4 win in the first set, going one up in the set score. Although Sampras bounced back in the second set and kept the scoreboard ticking on even terms all the way to the tiebreaker, he failed to follow through as he lost
the tiebreaker 2-7.
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