It may just be an exhibition match that won’t count in any official ATP stat sheet, but Fernando scored a big win last night against one of tennis’ all-time greats, Pete Sampras, defeating the retired legend 6-3, 7-62

Pete joked with Nando before the tournament at a VIP banquet: “Just show some respect. I’m going to have to get to the net as much as I can—none of those long baseline exchanges. I think I can hold my own serving and volleying. Tonight I have no choice but to come in ‘til the cows come home. If he returns well and passes well, it could be a quick night.”

Pete also had some encouraging praise for Fernando after the match: “He’s tough. He’s the real deal. He could win a major.”

Fernando admitted to watching replays of the 1995 Australian Open final between Sampras and his idol Andre Agassi more than any other match – “probably a hundred times,” He got a chance to play Andre in 2004, but never Pete. “It was one of my goals to play against him one day.”

“He’s still serving so good, and of course, he’s not at the moment in the shape he was in as a professional, but that’s normal. For me it was just an experience to play with him… It was very special to play with him tonight.”

(via yahoo sports)

Fernando also appears to be playing with a new racquet. He’s switched his trusty Tecnifibre racquet for the new Yonex RDiS 200 model. No word yet on whether or not the change is permanent or not.