Sampras, Dent Could Quickly Get to Bet Again

It was an informal match, pitting one of the best tennis players who ever lived against a young American who has never won a professional tournament.

So when Taylor Dent defeated 13-time Grand Slam winner Pete Sampras in straight sets last week, the 20-year-old from Newport Beach should have been excited, right?

Guess again.

Before their meeting, Dent and Sampras made a bet.

If Dent won, Sampras thought he said he would buy Dent “a couple dinners.”

“No, he owes me Laker tickets,” Dent said after Thursday’s 6-7 (4), 6-2, 7-5 victory over Max Mirnyi of Belarus.

They still have time to sort out their differences. But Saturday, they may play again, this time for a berth in the Mercedes-Benz Cup final. Sampras faces Magnus Norman of Sweden and Dent meets Xavier Malisse of Belgium in today’s quarterfinals at UCLA.

During Thursday’s match, Dent, known for his short temper, displayed uncommon maturity. Ahead, 40-15, in the final game, his apparent ace was instead called as a let cord. Seconds later, Dent hit a backhand half-volley for the victory.

Earlier this year, Dent began working with former professional Eliot Teltscher, who has helped Dent deal with adversity.

“[Six months ago], probably after that first set, I would have snapped,” Dent said. “I would have busted a few rackets and that would have been all she wrote.”

Now that he has been instrumental in Dent’s emotional turnaround, Teltscher has one request. He wants Sampras’ courtside seats at Staples Center.

“I’m taking those,” Teltscher said. “I know where Pete lives.”

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Teltscher has some experience with racket throwing, sulking and swearing.

Vic Braden, the noted tennis instructor and researcher, taught a young Teltscher in Southern California. When Teltscher was 10, Braden refused to coach him for six weeks.

“He was even bad in his lessons,” Braden said. “He would get hurt when he couldn’t hit the ball in the court.”

Even though Teltscher calmed down some and won 10 ATP Tour events, he hasn’t made a complete transformation. While watching Dent’s victory Thursday, Teltscher was visibly frustrated and spoke to himself and Dent from his front-row seat.

“I’m still a hothead,” Teltscher said.

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Malisse visited the Playboy Mansion for the first time Wednesday.

He toured the zoo, grotto and tennis court area but did not get to see the mansion’s interior.

“It’s better than the tournament, that’s for sure,” Malisse said. “I saw bunnies, but the wrong ones. I’d love to be a monkey there.”