It’s a Yankee Duo Dandy of a Final

The long and winding search for a proper rival for Pete Sampras, a seemingly endless casting call, came to an abrupt conclusion Saturday at Wimbledon.

Tennis slipped into time travel and plucked out Andre Agassi. While Agassi has not been in cryogenic freeze for the last few years, the Sampras-Agassi rivalry has been shelved.

Far too often, one was up and one was down. How could the Lennon and McCartney of tennis push each other to greater heights if they were never on the same stage?

Finally, it happened on a rare sunny day at Wimbledon. The top-seeded Sampras, a five-time champion, eliminated his buddy and crushed a nation by defeating sixth-seeded Tim Henman of Great Britain, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, on Centre Court in the semifinals. Sampras looked vulnerable early and needed treatment for a tender right groin but the soreness subsided as the match went on. Not much later and not far away, the fourth-seeded Agassi followed Sampras into the final by beating second-seeded Patrick Rafter of Australia, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, on Court 1.

Win or lose today, Agassi will supplant Sampras at No. 1 when the new ATP rankings are released later this week. More important, it is the first time Sampras and Agassi have played in a Grand Slam final since Sampras won the 1995 U.S. Open.

Suddenly, the wheezing patient known as men’s tennis is looking quite fit.

“This is huge for American tennis,” said Agassi, who won the French Open last month at 29. “It was starting to get a little discouraging, not having the top guys in the end of these events, not having the American guys in the end of these events. It’s not like Pete and I are going to be around forever, and I think people are starting to realize that.

“When you see a guy [Sampras] who has been No. 1 in the world six years in a row and you see him fall off most of this year, and me, you see me fall off, there’s an appreciation that it’s still there. Not to mention he’s going for a record six Wimbledon titles [in the modern era] and I’m going to try to accomplish something that hasn’t been done in a couple of decades. It’s remarkable. It’s like a storybook again.”

Pride, honor and history are on the line. Agassi is attempting to become the first player to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year since Bjorn Borg did it in 1980. As for Sampras, he is attempting to win his 12th Grand Slam title, which would tie all-time leader Roy Emerson of Australia. His 11th Slam title came here last year.

So often Sampras has strode onto Centre Court the final day. Five times he has played in the final and five times he has left a champion. This is his first Wimbledon final against Agassi, who won here in 1992. They have played once before at Wimbledon, in 1993, and Sampras won the quarterfinal match in five sets.

“I’m sure about 1:45 [local time today], getting ready to go out and step on the court, it’s going to be an unbelievable atmosphere,” Sampras said. “There’s a history with him and I through the years, and we’ve been through a lot together. We’re obviously going to be a little nervous. . . . But I’m sure it’s an experience I’ll never forget, win or lose.”

Sampras never believed the rivalry was over even though the competitive flame flickered dangerously low at times. Injuries and apathy have taken a toll too.

“It’s just a matter of time before our games got hot at the right time,” he said. “I’ve always had a lot of respect for his game and knew that he was going to be in contention here after his French Open win.”

All too often, the prospect of an Agassi-Sampras meeting in a major event was a tantalizing tease. They could have played at the U.S. Open last year, but Agassi fell one match short, losing to Karol Kucera in the fourth round. Sampras skipped the Australian Open in January because of fatigue and never was a factor at the French Open, falling in the second round.

Sampras has been playing Agassi since they were kids, recalling when Agassi made trips from his hometown of Las Vegas to junior events in Southern California. They are separated by two years--Agassi is older--but they have been linked for years. Despite their different personalities and competitive nature, Sampras called Agassi after the French Open and congratulated him on the victory.

“He has made me a better player,” Sampras said. “I had to add some things to my game. Against Andre I have to be at my best. We’re both hungry, competitive guys who want to win Slams. The way we are, as people, our lifestyles are as different as night and day.”

Agassi joked about the contrast in style.

“I think they [the fans] really get a good sense that we hate each other,” he said, smiling. “We caused a lot of grief for each other’s career. You get to see contrasts in play, in personality. You get to see two guys who have basically grown up together and who have somehow managed to bring out the best in each other’s game.

“The stage is set. It’s time to go out there and not miss our cue.”

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MEN’S FINALISTS

Pete Sampras

* Age: 27.

* Seeding: No. 1.

* Residence: Orlando, Fla.

* Road to final: Has dropped two sets to Mark Philippoussis and Tim Henman. Beat Scott Draper in the first round, Sebastien Lareau in the second, Danny Sapsford in the third, Daniel Nestor in the fourth, Philippoussis in the quarterfinals and Henman in the semifinals.

* Past Wimbledons: Five-time winner and has won all five times he’s advanced to the final. Beat Agassi in the 1993 quarterfinals in only meeting on grass.

* Ranking: Will lose the top ranking to Agassi after Wimbledon and fall to No. 3, whether he wins or loses in the final.

Andre Agassi

* Age: 29.

* Seeding: No. 4.

* Residence: Las Vegas.

* Road to final: Has dropped two sets to Alberto Martin and Wayne Arthurs. Beat Andrei Pavel in the first round, Guillermo Canas in the second, Martin in the third, Arthurs in the fourth, Gustavo Kuerten in the quarterfinals and Patrick Rafter in the semifinals.

* Past Wimbledons: Won title in 1992, beating beating Goran Ivanisevic in the final.

* Ranking: Will regain the No. 1 position after Wimbledon, regardless of the result of the final. Previously held No. 1 ranking for 30 weeks from April to November 1995.

Today’s Finals

* When: 6 a.m.

* TV: Channel 4

MEN

PETE SAMPRAS (1) vs. ANDRE AGASSI (4)

*

WOMEN

STEFFI GRAF (2) vs. LINDSAY DAVENPORT (3)