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US Open Flashback: Aussie hearthrob Patrick Rafter edges Pete Sampras in 1998 semifinals in a five-set thriller

http://www.tennisonline.fr/images/patrick_1.jpgThird in a five-part series

When the US Open rolled around in 1998, Patrick Rafter was really getting under Pete Sampras’ skin.

Sampras had won four previous titles at Flushing Meadow and was number one in the world for nearly six years by then. But Rafter had won the US Open the year before and was getting all of the attention as the game’s most exciting and sexy superstar.

A few weeks before their US Open match, Rafter had defeated Sampras in the final of the warm-up tournament in Cincinnati and the world number one got downright bitchy when he was asked the difference between him and the surging Rafter at that point. Sampras (at that time winner of 11 Grand Slam titles) sniped: “10 grand slams”

Rafter pointedly took issue with Sampras’ refusal to show him respect in defeat: “That is what really upsets me about him,” Rafter said, “and the reason why I try to [tick] him off as much as I can.”

At their US Open match, Sampras was reportedly hobbled by a strained muscle in his left upper leg but had countless times pulled out a win – in very dramatic fashion – while injured or ill. Two years earlier he had even thrown up on the court during a quarterfinal and appeared to barely be able to stand. But he won that match and the tournament.

Not this time. Rafter won in five sets. He returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium the next day to beat fellow Aussie Mark Philippoussis in the final and win the second of his two US Open titles.

If watching tennis isn’t your thing, then fast-forward to about four minutes in to see Rafter interviewed by Pam Shriver. He has the most beautiful face!

FILE UNDER: Tennis

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