The last minute man

Tommy Haas must have felt like he played a five setter. The former world No.2 has played an exhibition with Pete Sampras right after his 1st round match in San Jose.

After winning his 1st round encounter against Lars Poerschke 6/1 7/6(8), the German was asked by the 14 time Grand Slam champion, Pete Sampras, to play an exhibition match against him right away. Haas had 10 minutes to regroup.

James Blake was due to play Sampras, but the American has withdrawn 15 minutes before the start of the match with back spasms. This sudden withdrawal left the organizers with little time to come up with a new idea.

"Tommy saved the day.'' Sampras said.

"Ten minutes after my match I saw James was struggling a little bit,'' Haas said. "Then Pete asked me and I said sure, why not? A lot of people came to see Pete tonight, and not who he played. It was fun. Pete still has an unbelievable serve.''

Haas won the match after saving a match point 6/7 (4), 6/4, 12-10 and surely some new fans with it.

~jachal