Sampras Plays to Own Tune
For inspiration, which the world’s 265th-ranked player figured to need plenty of against seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras, England’s Barry Cowan slips on headphones and listens to his favorite soccer team’s theme song, Liverpool’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
There didn’t seem to be a chance he would walk alone Wednesday at the All England Club. A standing-room-only crowd gathered late in the afternoon at Court 1 to see if the British everyman could provide a shock to rival the previous day, when Prince Charles was seen kissing Camilla Parker Bowles in public for the first time.
But Cowan began to wonder whether anyone was still on his side during the break before the third set when spectators started the wave. While losing the first two sets, he had lost them too.
“I was thinking, ‘God, I’ve got to try and play a bit better,’ ” he said.
Cowan did at least that before bowing to Sampras, 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 4-6, 6-3, in a 2-hour 52-minute match that ended at dusk.
By the start of the fifth set, not only were the Court 1 ticket-holders fully engaged, sounding at times like a Liverpool crowd at Anfield, but many among the 41,146 on the grounds gathered on a hill to watch on a giant monitor.
They saw Cowan humbled again, falling behind, 4-0, and then charging back, the left-hander holding two break points with a chance to get back on serve at 4-3 before Sampras’ first serve reasserted itself. Oddly enough, Cowan felt most satisfied when he surrendered an ace at the end of that game. Sampras pumped his fist, celebrating as if he’d won match point on Center Court against Andre Agassi or Patrick Rafter, and, for a brief moment, Cowan felt what it was like to be one of them.
“I definitely did have him on the ropes,” Cowan said, as if trying to convince himself it was true.
Although gracious in victory, Sampras didn’t necessarily agree.
“I didn’t really feel I was in danger of losing,” he said. “You know, there were some tense moments out there. It was definitely a test. Give Barry credit.”
Until then, the tournament’s third day had gone mostly as expected. There was a mild upset when Andy Roddick, playing his first Wimbledon at 18, beat 11th-seeded Thomas Johansson of Sweden, 7-6 (1), 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (3). Fourth-seeded Marat Safin, a Russian who won last year’s U.S. Open champion, was trailing, 7-6 (4), 3-6, 1-2, when Daniel Nestor of Canada retired because of a sprained ankle. Sixth-seeded Tim Henman defeated fellow Brit Martin Lee, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.
Among the women, fourth-seeded Jennifer Capriati beat Francesca Schiavone of Italy, 6-3, 6-1, and fifth-seeded Serena Williams defeated Barbara Rittner of Germany, 6-4, 6-0. Spain’s Virginia Ruano Pascual, who upset No. 1 Martina Hingis of Switzerland on Monday, lost to Lina Krasnoroutskaya of Russia, 6-3, 7-6 (3). Lilia Osterloh ousted No. 13 Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, 7-6 (4), 7-5.
There was no reason to expect more drama from Sampras’ match. According to a story in Wednesday’s Daily Mail, Cowan was a “sacrificial lamb.” A fatted one at that. A little portly, disheveled and unshaven, discouraged enough in recent weeks to start seeing a sports psychologist, Cowan, 26, looked more like a candidate for the chorus line in “The Full Monty” than a tennis pro. He still lives with his parents in Lancashire and drove here in his Ford Fiesta.
In five Wimbledon appearances, Cowan had never won. In 15 tournaments this season, he has lost in the first round 10 times and has yet to advance beyond the third round.
But each time he got down Wednesday, he drew inspiration during breaks by imagining great Liverpool soccer moments, of which there have been many this year, while listening to the team’s song.
Sampras’ first serve was, as usual, his most effective weapon. But his second serve didn’t faze Cowan. Sampras, who, in an amazing championship campaign in 1997, was broken only twice the entire tournament, was broken by Cowan once in the fourth set and again--and very nearly twice--in the fifth set.
“When I walked off the court, I was disappointed,” Cowan said. “Just a shame when I had a little sniff of a chance--well, it’s not always a sniff against Sampras, but [down] 4-3 in the fifth, two break points. He came up with two aces. That’s why he’s won seven out of eight Wimbledons.”
Sampras was asked if he was aware of the song Cowan listened to during breaks.
“Whatever it is, I’ve got to find it,” he said.
Told it was “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” Sampras said he prefers Pearl Jam.
Whatever gets you through the fortnight.
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
Going the Distance
Pete Sampras is undefeated in five-set matches at Wimbledon.
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Year Round Opponent Result 1993 Quarterfinal d. Andre Agassi (USA) 6-2, 6-2, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4 1995 Semifinal d. Goran Ivanisevic (CRO) 7-6 (7), 4-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 1997 4th round d. Petr Korda (CZE) 6-4, 6-3, 6-7 (10), 6-7 (7), 6-4 1998 Final d. Goran Ivanisevic (CRO) 6-7 (7), 7-6 (9), 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 2001 2nd round d. Barry Cowan (GBR) 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 4-6, 6-3
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