Short Corner — Chandigarh

Sampras, Agassi win matches
Four-time U S Open winner Pete Sampras moved a step closer to matching Roy Emerson’s career record 12 Grand Slam singles titles by ousting American compatriot Paul Goldstein 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-3, 6-3. Sampras served 23 aces to win in two hours and eight minutes. Agassi, seeded eighth, struggled midway through his match before defeating Guillaume Raoux 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (6-8), 3-6, 6-1, finishing the match with his 10th ace.

Sachin for Toronto?
Sachin Tendulkar will play in the Sahara Cup after all. Tendulkar, Ajay Jadeja, Anil Kumble and Robin Singh would airdash to Toronto for the one-day series against Pakistan if the Indian cricket team for the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games fails to reach the semi-finals. If India fail to make the last four, Tendulkar, Jadeja, Kumble and Robin Singh would take a 11.00 p.m. flight on September 15 itself, and after a five-hour stop-over in London zip off to Toronto.

Akshay in final
Akshay Vishal Rao and Kamala Kannan walked through to the under-16 boys final of the Nutrine National Sub-junior (under-14 & 16) Hard Court Tennis Championship on Friday. Akshay ended the inspired run of Yogendra Naik, winning 6-3, 6-3. Kamala Kannan stopped Manoj Sewa in his tracks with a comfortable 6-2, 6-1 victory.

Cuba, Russia win
Win they did but not in the manner they would have liked to. Both Olympic champions Cuba and Russia the holders of the title in Kobe last year, were stretched to four sets by Italy and Korea, respectively, on the opening day of the third leg of the Indian Oil Servo World Grand Prix Women’s Volleyball Championship on Friday.