Sampras-Agassi showdown

Second seed Davenport thrashed Frenchwoman Julie Halard-Decugis 6-1 6-2 while Capriati trounced Ai Sugiyama of Japan 6-0 6-2 to cap an amazing comeback.

With Agassi and Sampras both bidding for a piece of tennis history, their semifinal is already threatening to overshadow Sunday8217;s final.

If Agassi wins, he will become the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 to make the final in four successive Grand Slams while Sampras is aiming to pass the record of 12 majors he currently shares with Roy Emerson.

8220;While I think it8217;s better for the game if we happen to play in the finals, just because of the interest that it draws8230; weboth feel like the other one is the potential guy in our way,8221; Agassi said.

Agassi was close to his brilliant best against Arazi even though it was evident from the start of their match that he didn8217;t have to be.

8220;He8217;s like a train. He starts off slowly, gradually picks up speed and it8217;s difficult to stop him,8221; Arazi said.

Former prodigy Capriati, slowly rebuilding her career after off-court teenage rebellion, was in a bubbly mood after making her first Grand Slam semifinal since she reached the same stage at Wimbledon and the US Open in 1991 as a 15-year-old. But she said her true test would come against Davenport.

The World number two has yet to drop a set at Melbourne Park this year and is improving with every match as evidenced by her 46-minute dismissal of Halard-Decugis.

8220;I played great tennis 8212; the best match I8217;ve played this year, and it8217;s definitely getting better and better as this tournament is going on,8221; Davenport said.