Pete Sampras was given a tough examination in his first appearance in the Hamlet Cup for 11 years as he edged Olivier Rochus of Belgium 6-4, 6-7, 7-6 in last night’s first-round match.
Seeded 10th for the upcoming US Open, Sampras has been trying to regain the form that won him to 13 Grand Slam titles. He has not won a tournament in over a year.
Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic suffered a 6-3, 7-5 loss to Felix Mantilla of Spain.
Eighth seed Jan-Michael Gambill of the United States also made an early exit, retiring after two sets of his match against Todd Martin.
Fifth seed Thomas Johansson of Sweden saw off Michal Tabara of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-4, and sixth-seeded Tommy Haas of Germany defeated Michel Kratochvil of Switzerland 6-3 6-7 6-3.
On the women's tour, American Lindsay Davenport trounced Anastasia Myskina 6-2, 6-1 in the second round of the New Haven championship.
Third seed and two-time defending champion Venus Williams of the United States defeated Sandrine Testud of France, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.
Fourth seed Kim Clijsters of Belgium easily outclassed Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario of Spain 6-1, 6-4, while sixth seed Amelie Mauresmo of France managed a tough afternoon victory over Henrieta Nagyova of Slovakia, 7-6 (16/14), 6-3.