On Day After Draining Victory, Sampras Takes a Deserved Rest

Pete Sampras did not practice at the National Tennis Center on Friday, choosing instead to stay at his hotel and rest after Thursday night’s physically and emotionally wrenching quarterfinal match against Alex Corretja.

Sampras, who vomited several times during his match against Corretja, is expected to be fine for his semifinal match today against Goran Ivanisevic. Andre Agassi will play Michael Chang in the other semifinal.

“I got to bed late, slept through the night and woke up feeling not bad,” Sampras said in a statement released by the U.S. Tennis Assn. “I am a little tired but physically fine. I think I will be in good shape tomorrow.”

Physician Brian Hainline said Sampras was administered two liters of intravenous fluid Thursday night and was tired but fully recovered shortly after the match.

Hainline said Sampras became dehydrated during the four-hour match because he stopped drinking after he began to feel queasy. Besides suffering his stomach trouble, Sampras began to tighten during the match and he began to experience back spasms.

His coach, Paul Annacone, said Sampras’ problems during the match were the result of fatigue and mental and physical stress.

Both Ivanisevic and his opponent Stefan Edberg, whose match followed, said they watched raptly.

“Incredible, that’s the word for it,” Edberg said. “I think everybody was watching it in the locker room. I have seen Pete in other matches, what he can do under those circumstances . . . I don’t think anybody can do it.”

Ivanisevic said that even though his match was delayed, he found Sampras’ effort inspiring.

“It shows you why he’s the No. 1 player in the world,” the Croatian said. “Keeping his cool and trying, even if he can’t.”