Pete Sampras scraped into the Italian Open second round in Rome yesterday, but there was no such luck for defending champion Marcelo Rios, who was toppled by German qualifier David Prinosil.
Sampras snatched a 3-6, 6-2, 76 (7/2) victory from the jaws of defeat to unseeded Czech Bohdan Ulihrach but Rios, who won the Hamburg tournament last Sunday, was sent packing by Prinosil 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.
The eighth-seeded Chilean looked destined for an early exit as he trailed 6-2, 5-2 in the second. But he managed to hold serve and break twice to draw level - only to find himself in an identical position in the following set. This time, however, he failed to get out of jail.
Sampras was 5-3 down and facing an almost certain exit against the serve of the world number 35. Instead, the American broke for 54 and served all the way to a tiebreak which he never looked like losing.
Both of Britain's entrants won, seventh seeded Tim Henman beating Daniel Vacek of the Czech Republic 7-5, 6-3 at night, after 12th-seeded Greg Rusedski had edged Australian Scott Draper 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3).
In Berlin, Steffi Graf, playing the 1,000th singles match of her career, almost spoiled the celebrations to mark the occasion when she struggled to overcome Yugoslav qualifier Sandra Nacuk in the second round of the German Open. Third seeded Graf eventually survived 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, but ninth seed Anna Kournikova lost a marathon battle with American Mary Joe Fernandez 6-7 (4/7), 64, 7-6 (8/6).
Graf failed to hold serve at all in the first set as she struggled to find any touch or rhythm. She reduced her unforced errors to win a rain-interupted second set, but in the third set, Graf's inconsistency again gave Nacuk the upper hand, and the Yugoslav broke to love to lead 3-1. Graf responded by winning the next four games to lead 5-3. Still Nacuk refused to concede, firing her forehand and mixing up her game, but Graf held on. "It wasn't a very impressive match," Graf admitted.
Meanwhile, Denmark have chosen Skagen, a northern resort, for their Davis Cup match against Ireland from July 16th to 18th. It will be played on a hard surface.
Morale in the Irish camp is high following the shock victory over Slovenia at Riverview earlier this month. Ireland must win to ensure promotion to division one of the Euro-African zone.
Meanwhile, it is understood that RTE television will be returning to daily live coverage of Wimbledon this summer. There will also be evening highlights.
