Sampras Summons Second Wind in Drive for the Title

Pete Sampras is the hardest-working man in the tennis business. At least at the French Open. Sampras has played 21 sets--three five-set matches--on his way to today’s semifinal match against Yevgeny Kafelnikov. The Russian has played only 16 sets.

The work rate, combined with a week of intense sun, has left Sampras exhausted, if you believe him. Or, if you prefer the interpretation of Jim Courier, the top-seeded Sampras is doing just fine and only appears to be very tired.

“The legs are dead and, yeah, I’m pretty tired,” Sampras said after beating Courier in the quarterfinals. “I’ll get some fluids into me and get a rubdown, I’ll be fine.”

Sampras has been aided by a two-day layoff, as has the sixth-seeded Kafelnikov. Kafelnikov defeated Richard Krajicek in the quarterfinals. Kafelnikov lost in the semifinals here last year to eventual winner Thomas Muster.

In the other semifinal, 14th-seeded Michael Stich of Germany will meet 15th-seeded Marc Rosset of Switzerland. Stich and Rosset have played four times and split the matches.

“I know Marc very well,” Stich said. “He is a very, very nice guy. He is a very tough competitor. It’s going to be a very difficult [match]. It’s his first semifinal. He is going to be nervous, but so am I. You don’t play semifinals of Grand Slams all the time. Both of us are going to be nervous. But I’m going to enjoy myself, I’m going to have fun, and we’ll see what’s going to happen.”

Stich has been talking lately of his new approach to tennis, to have fun. Like so many athletes who have been away from their sport--in Stich’s case an ankle injury--he has returned refreshed.

“You know, people are still going to tell me, ‘Now you have a good chance to win this tournament.’ I am one of the four players, still trying to enjoy myself, not putting any pressure on myself, not telling myself that I have to do something or win certain matches.

“I’m going out there [today] and enjoy myself. I think that was basically the best thing that happened to me [the injury]. I’m just having fun playing tennis. For me, that’s the most important thing.”