Tags:
Journalism of Courage
VIENNA, Oct 18: Pete Sampras made full use of a wild card handed over by Boris Becker to beat Slovak Karol Kucera 6-3 7-6 7-3 6-1 in the final of the CA-Trophy today.
Sampras, who is bidding to end 1998 as the world8217;s number one for a record sixth consecutive year, ensured his top ranking for the next two weeks with his first title since Wimbledon.
The American, an 11-time Grand-Slam winner, won 125,400 and, more importantly, 361 ATP points.
The 27-year-old American was given the wild card by Becker for 8220;sporting reasons8221; after losing in the first round in Basle last week.
Sampras now has 22 indoor titles and 56 in all. He has won three other titles this year 8211; Wimbledon, Philadelphia and Atlanta.
BECKER PULLS OUT: German veteran Boris Becker, who had obtained a wildcard, has decided against playing the million-dollar ATP event in Ostrava, tournament director Peter Kovarcik said today.
