Fernando defeats “Pistol” Pete
- February 9th, 2010
- Posted in match results
- By Lynsey
- Write comment
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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.
























Awwwww congratulations… really good win for Nando!
I dont want his raquet change to be permanent, hes been with technifibre for so long it would be a shame for him to change now.
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Vamos Nando,,, great win over Sampras. That can only be good for your confidence this week in San Jose!!
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Never expected that Fernando Verdasco was this powerful to defeat Pete Sampras in straight sets. Sadly, I haven’t seen this exhibition in TV.
Can you upload a video highlights of the match? I tried youtube but found nothing.
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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. –> CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THIS NEWS? HAVE YOU FOUND OUT SOMETHING NEW? Thanks a lot
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