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Sampras Getting His Swing Back


Pete Sampras sensed the momentum swinging his way, so he turned toward the stands, screamed in jubilation and threw wild roundhouse punches with both arms.

"You sometimes don't get that visibly excited when you win Wimbledon," a British sports writer said to Sampras later.

But the 12-time Grand Slam champion has been through a dry spell lately, and he's eager to win the Ericsson Open. He'll play Brazilian Gustavo Kuerten in Sunday's final.

"I'd love to win here," the second-seeded Sampras said after advancing to his first final this year. "The year hasn't been bad, but I've come up short in a couple of tight matches."

Sampras is 0-for-3 in tournaments this year. He lost to Andre Agassi in the Australian Open semifinals, withdrew from Scottsdale after one round because of a strained back, and lost to Thomas Enqvist in the quarterfinals at Indian Wells.

Now he wants something to celebrate.

Sampras struggled midway through his semifinal match against dangerous Lleyton Hewitt before pulling away. On the pivotal point early in the third set, Sampras pounded five consecutive forehands into the corner before breaking for the net and putting away a backhand volley.

The beautifully played point prompted Sampras' jubilant display. The crowd, surprised by his uncharacteristic show of emotion, roared with delight.

"The people there watching loved it," he said with a satisfied grin. "I like it. It's something I'll do a little more as I get older."

Maybe he'll do it Sunday. Sampras, who is a remarkable 61-17 in finals, will be a heavy favorite against the sixth-seeded Kuerten, who is bidding for his first hardcourt title and his first title in the United States.

The Brazilian is seeking his biggest victory since winning the 1997 French Open.

Kuerten was one point from elimination in his opening match against Arnaud Clement before rallying. In the semifinals he easily beat the top-seeded Agassi, who was slowed by a sprained ankle.

"I could be very far from here already," Kuerten said. "I could leave here very angry. Now I'm very happy."

Many fans are happy, too. They waved Brazilian flags and chanted "Guga! Guga!" Kuerten's nickname during his semifinal win.

Because of South Florida's large Latin population, Sampras anticipates divided loyalties on stadium court Sunday.

"The Braziians will be loud," he said. "But there are a few Americans here. I'll get them going somehow."

©2000 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

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