Germany’s Haas dispatched Sweden’s Thomas Enqvist 6-4, 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 here yesterday while Sampras, outside the top 16 at a Grand Slam for the first time since 1989, beat Britain’s Greg Rusedski 7-6 (7/4) 4-6, 7-6 (7/3) 3-6, 6-4.

“He had me guessing a lot of the match,” Sampras said. “It was a battle of nerves in the fifth set. I managed to hit a couple of good returns there and a couple good passes at the end.”

Despite runs into the US Open finals the past two years, Sampras has not won a title since his record 13th Grand Slam crown at Wimbledon in 2000. Sampras is 4-3 against Haas but has lost three in a row to him, including a month ago in Toronto.

“You can never underestimate a player like Pete Sampras,” Haas said. “You see how he does in the majors and it’s phenomenal. He has experience. He knows what he wants. Maybe he doesn’t have the speed, but the will and the power is still there.”

Australia’s Hewitt ousted Czech 14th seed Jiri Novak 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 and neared a showdown of his own with Agassi, who has not lost a set at the US Open. Hewitt’s possible semi-final foe beat fellow American Jan-Michael Gambill 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

“He is probably the best guy at rolling over guys quickly,” Hewitt said of Agassi. “Once he gets his nose in front, he is extremely tough to get back in the match with. I thought Gambill would have given him more of a match, though.”

Two top men’s players lost to South American rivals. Argentina’s Juan Ignacio Chela dumped injured British fifth seed Tim Henman 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 while Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez downed Spanish seventh seed Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Among women’s seeds, Americans Jennifer Capriati and Lindsay Davenport advanced to the quarter-finals while Belgians Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters were ousted.

Agassi has not lost more than three games in a set as he makes an impressive bid for his first Grand Slam final since winning last year’s Australian Open.

“I feel pretty good about my game. I feel ready to go,” Agassi said. “I served well, moved well, mixed it up well, was patient when it was time to be. All in all I felt good about the way I played.

“My game feels ready to shift to another gear and I’m going to need to. I do believe I can do it. I’m anticipating having to play better and looking forward to that challenge.”

Sampras and Haas are among those who must win five matches in seven days to take the US Open title following a fourth day of rain that delayed yesterday’s start for more than seven hours and created scheduling chaos that added to the tension.

“It’s a rough couple days for everybody,” Sampras said. “You don’t know when to eat, when to practice, just a very tough day for everyone.”

Sampras 31, beat Rusedski for the ninth time in 10 tries. The last two of his 81 winners were forehands to break Rusedski in the final game. The British ball basher ripped Sampras after his defeat.

“I lost the match. He didn’t win the match,” Rusedski said. “He’s not playing that great. I would be surprised if he wins his next match against Haas. The way he is playing, I don’t see it.

“The movement is not the same and the fitness is not the same. He’s a step and a half slow coming to the net. He’s just not the same player.”

Haas showed no sign of the shoulder and forearm tendinitis that has bothered him the past month, saying, “My shoulder feels great. It’s holding up well. If it stays like it is now, I will have no pain and I will be ready to play.”

Brazil’s Gustavo Kuerten, who ousted second seed Marat Safin, advanced 6-1, 5-4 when Chile’s Nicolas Massu retired after 73 minutes with an injured right groin and hamstring. A Grand Slam record 10 men have quit in matches with injuries here.

Kuerten, the 2001 US Open top seed, is unseeded in 2002 after missing two months with a right hip injury. “Guga” is part of a draw quarter with no top-20 player that will produce a semi-finalist. He plays Dutchman Sjeng Schalken today.

“I have more confidence in my game,” Kuerten said. “I feel every match a little bit better. For sure I’m ready to play. I ‘m lucky not playing as much as others.”

Chela breezed past Henman, who admitted that his right shoulder injury bothered him greatly all week.

“I was able to bluff it,” Henman said. “It’s a different type of disappointment because it wasn’t altogether unexpected.”

Chela next plays 20-year-old American 11th seed Andy Roddick, who ousted Spain’s Alex Corretja on a memorable final point.

“I just finished about a 253-stroke rally,” Roddick said. “I knew he was going to fight to the end. I finally got an opportunity and I took advantage of it.”

Third seed Capriati dispatched compatriot Amy Frazier 6-1 6-3 while fourth seed Davenport ousted Italian 13th seed Silvia Farina Elia 6-3 6-1. French 10th seed Amelie Mauresmo eliminated seventh seed Clijsters 4-6 6-3 7-5 while Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova, the 11th seed, downed eighth seed Henin 6-1 3-6 7-6 (7/4).

Davenport plays 61st-ranked Russian teen Elena Bovina in today’s quarter-final while Hantuchova, 19, faces world number one Serena Williams. Mauresmo meets Capriati tomorrow for a semi-final berth.

The Venus Williams-Chanda Rubin and Monica Seles-Martina Hingis fourth-round matches were postponed for today, so any of them must win four matches in five days to capture Saturday’s US Open women’s final. AFP

It was during the second Test in Faisalabad that the world first realised that there was something special about the cherubic youngster. It was a lush green wicket, possibly the greenest wicket I’ve seen in Pakistan, and Tendulkar was batting on 20-odd when a ball from me hit him. I immediately asked him if he was alright and he looked me in the eye and nodded. I was a 21-year-old then, so I did not give the matter much thought, but in retrospect that score of 50-odd was the first hint the world got about Tendulkar’s special talent.

A similar incident took place in the fourth Test in Sialkot when Waqar Younis hit Sachin and gave him a bloody face. Sachin, of course, took some treatment and then continued batting.

More of that spark was visible during an exhibition game during which he hit Abdul Qadir for four-five sixes. Even though it was not an official one-dayer, it was being played in all seriousness like all India-Pakistan encounters. Moreover, Qadir was bowling at his peak in those days, and was treated with respect by the top batsmen the world over. Everyone who saw that match realised that Tendulkar would dominate the best bowlers in the world in time to come, and that he loved the challenge of playing and destroying quality bowling.

India and Pakistan have rarely played against each other after that, and it is one of my lasting regrets that I did not get to bowl against Tendulkar in Tests when I was at my peak in the early 90s. Of course we have seen a lot of each other in one-dayers and bowling to him has always been a challenge I look forward to. Even when we are not playing India, I always follow the scorecards to see how Tendulkar is faring. He is one batsman I really like watching on television. Even if they are showing a repeat of an old match, I always watch the game as long as Tendulkar is around. Of late I like watching Virender Sehwag too, which is saying a lot for these two guys since I don’t normally watch cricket.

As I mentioned earlier, it’s really unfortunate that neither Waqar nor I could bowl to Tendulkar when we were at our fastest. In fact, when I watch him on television, I’m always plotting on ways to get him out, after all he is a prized wicket.

I cherish all the occasions on which I have dismissed the little maestro. My favourite memory against Tendulkar was in Sharjah two years ago. He had just hit me over my head for a boundary and I followed it up with a slower one. He had expected a bouncer, normally a fast bowler’s reply at being hit over the head, and the slower one fooled him completely and bowled him. When you get a batsman with Tendulkar’s class bowled you tend to savour the memory.

Other Indian batsmen are often accused of relying too much on Sachin Tendulkar, but I can understand that happening. When you have a player of his class and caliber you are bound to expect a 100 from him every time. There has been the odd benefit game in which Tendulkar and I have been in the same team. Each time I would rely on him to win the match. If I felt that way during a benefit game, imagine what the expectations are when it’s the real thing.

It is the way Tendulkar carries these expectations so lightly that makes him more special. I’m not too much into statistics, but one thing that has really impressed me about Tendulkar is the fact that his average has never been constant in either form of the game — it’s only getting better and better. It’s 55-plus in Tests and getting improving all the time. Can you blame any team for having that extra bit of expectation from a player who boasts of such credentials?

A whole nine years elapsed after his debut before I saw Tendulkar in Tests. That century in Chennai was an exhibition of batting of the highest order and many teammates of mine feel that it is the best Test innings they have ever seen.

During that series, I watched him as he handled the adulation and the extra pressure that comes with being the biggest hero of his country. I think the fact that he is a shy guy helps him keep his balance. I also hear that his wife is a wonderful person who understands the pressure on him and helps Tendulkar cope with it.

It’s not easy being a superstar in this part of the world, and there are always those who try to pull you off the pedestal. I find articles and debates over Tendulkar’s abilities really silly, coming as they generally do from people who have not played cricket at the highest level. They obviously don’t know much about the game or are out to settle personal scores. One bad game or even an indifferent series does not mean that a player suddenly transforms from great to good-for-nothing.

If Tendulkar follows the pattern of other great batsmen, his best is yet to come. Most batsmen peak between 28 and 33, and Tendulkar is just at the beginning of this phase, so bowlers all over the world cannot breathe easy just yet.

One of the saddest aspects about the breakdown in cricketing ties between India and Pakistan is the fact that Pakistan fans have been deprived of one of the best sights in cricket – Tendulkar’s batting. I’m sure Tendulkar too would like to have had another chance of playing and scoring a century in the country where he made his debut.

Which brings us to the question of how many centuries will Tendulkar end up with. If I have to make a prediction then I will say that he will end up with 50 tons in each form of the game. Anything less would disappoint Tendulkar’s fans and more importantly, the great little man himself. (Gameplan)

“Each and every moment I’ve enjoyed and cherished.... this was one of my dreams to play 100 Test matches for India,” Tendulkar told reporters at a press conference here.

“That’s when a player feels you have achieved something in life and you have contributed to the best of your ability,” said Tendulkar who will only be the fourth Indian to play 100 Test matches.

India have not won a Test series outside the sub-continent in 16 years and Tendulkar hopes his joy is doubled and India manage to create history at the Oval.

“It’s (winning a series abroad) so important because that’s what we’ve been trying to do for so many years,” the maestro said.

And all these years have been a great learning experience for the little genius. “Reaching 100 Tests is special, not many have done it in India... I have learnt a lot in the last 13 years and there is still a lot more to learn.”

Tendulkar, who just needs 144 runs to become the first cricketer in history to aggregate 20,000 international runs, said the coming five days of the Oval Test were going to be extremely crucial days for the series.

“Now the time has come when we stand a chance to win a Test series but we don’t want to put ourselves under pressure.

“I would say the next five days are going to be the most important days of the series and it might be little different out there (from the third Test at Headingley) because England would be better planned,” Tendulkar said. “I just hope there is good, keen cricket ahead for the spectators.”

Tendulkar revealed he sets his own target for a Test and series and tries to achieve it but refused to spell out what he had in his mind for his 100th Test.

“I usually set target for each game and series. I think everyone in life or who goes out there in the middle has a target in mind.”

That Tendulkar does not want to put undue pressure on himself is also evident from the fact that his family will stay away from the momentous occasion.

While Tendulkar’s wife and kids who were here with the batsman in the earlier part of the tour, have returned home, brother Ajit confirmed none from the family would be present at the Oval where the final Test starts on Thursday.

Ajit said in Mumbai it was a family decision to avoid distracting the maestro by their presence. “Maybe our presence will make him extra conscious. We should try and make him feel relaxed and not be a burden,” he said.

Tendulkar said he believes there are no shortcuts to success and it was drilled into his mind early by his coach and elder brother Ajit to try and put his best effort in every game.

“When I started to play Test cricket, I didn’t think about whether I am going to play 100 Tests, or 54 Tests or what ever number.

“I just wanted to go out and enjoy in the middle and face up to every challenge. I was told to do so by my coach and my elder brother that there are no shortcuts in this career. If I was to look for shortcuts, it would be end of my career.”

Tendulkar termed his two one-day hundreds against Australia in a tournament in Sharjah in 1998 as something special. “I would say the hundred which I scored against Australia in the finals, as well as the one I made to help qualify the team in the finals was something very special.” PTI

“I think you’ll find that our combinations will be pretty similar to Headingley,” coach John Wright said in an interview to BBC Sport last night, hinting that India would go in with the dual spin attack of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.

“We may look at one or two things but we seemed to get the formula right there,” he said.

India dominated throughout the five days of the third Test at Headingley, winning by an innings and 46 runs to level the series at 1-1.

And Wright singled out Sanjay Bangar, who scored 68 after being brought into the side to open the batting, for special praise.

“I think having Bangar open the batting made the difference and we had a good first day following on from that,” Wright said.

“In fact it was a pretty good team performance and we caught well - we took some good catches at some critical juncture particularly in the second innings.”

India start the final Test as the marginal favourites, which could be a major boost, the former New Zealand captain said.

“We’re happy to be in this situation. We fought well at both Trent Bridge and obviously at Headingley we got it all together.

“After the first Test (which India lost) we’re quite happy to be in the situation we’re in. But there are always labels bandied around and I think the two sides are pretty evenly matched.”

Besides being the series decider, Thursday marks Sachin Tendulkar’s 100th Test appearance for India. “At 29, he’s still got a lot of cricket left. It’s a great achievement (to reach his 100th Test) and we’d like him to have a very successful Test match.”

As regards The Oval wicket, he said it has still got a little bit of moisture but there’s still two days to go.

“I’d like to think that we’ll start with a pretty dry wicket which makes for good viewing for the public,” he said. PTI

Since he started setting records five years ago people have been telling Australia’s favourite son that he’s superman in a swim suit.

“He’s the most complete swimming package I’ve ever seen — physically, emotionally and mentally, male or female,” enthused triple Olympic gold medallist Murray Rose.

Gushed swimming coach Scott Volkers: “Thorpe’s an exceptional, exceptional, exceptional swimmer, the greatest ever, male or female.”

But there are signs the genial 19-year-old is sick of being seen as akin to a performing seal.

He’s considering a move to Europe. He’s about to split with long-time coach Doug Frost. He’s put on more muscle and grown hair on his chest.

Is Thorpe, lauded by everyone as the world’s most mature teenager, hankering after a bit of youthful adolescence?

He admits that just being himself is a struggle.

“My belief is that you are really three people — the person you see yourself as being, the person everyone else sees you as being, and then the person you truly are,” he said.

“When those three come together, and are closer, is when you feel the most secure within yourself, but sometimes I hear things, and it is so far from the person I am, that it is quite surprising.”

Outstanding young athletes often have trouble handling a rush of fame and fortune and up to now, what’s distinguished the former Sydney schoolboy is how well he has dealt with the many claims on him.

He often talks with a wisdom far beyond his years.

“Winning isn’t always about coming first,” he said last month after setting the fourth fastest time in history for the 200-metres freestyle. “It’s about satisfying my goals and my objectives. There’s a small difference between good and great.”

A key to his amazing success — three Olympic golds, two silvers and 15 world records — has been the enjoyment he gets out of swimming and the fullness of his life outside the pool.

His attitude to competition is deceptively simple: try and swim faster every time the gun goes, keep fresh by entering as many events as possible, endeavour to get every aspect of a race right — the start, the turns, the place where you accelerate, the finish.

Not the usual jock, Thorpe is interested in fashion, in investing his considerable wealth, in readying for the time when the whiff of chlorine has gone from his body.

He has a television show. He does charity work. He has taken up surfing. He’s thinking of getting a degree. There are those who worry that Thorpe is making a mistake by looking for a new country and a new coach.

“He’s been with a coach who has made him a great swimmer and a very wealthy young man,” said former top Australian coach Don Talbot. “For him to throw that out, he would have to think very carefully about it.”

But there are others who see reason in Thorpe’s determination not be to freeze-dried as a teenage sensation, to want new challenges and new environments and fresh inspiration.

Fellow Olympian swimmer Michael Klim reckons Thorpe is already mature enough to get on with a new set of mentors.

“I’ve got an opinion on that and I believe that Ian Thorpe could probably be coached by my mum, I think,” said Klim.

Thorpe is keenly aware that this past year has seen him break only one world record.

While it would be a shock for him to set up camp in Europe for a campaign against competitors there, some suspect that a sea change is what he sees as way of continuing to break records and of enjoying life in and out of the pool. DPA