ESPN.com - US Open 2002 - Sampras needs to rely on experience
espn.com US Open 2002
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Tuesday, July 22
Sampras needs to rely on experience
By Luke Jensen

Jensen's Take
Luke Jensen
Jensen
Former ATP Tour pro Luke Jensen is providing ESPN.com with in-depth analysis during the U.S. Open. Jensen, a two-time All-American at USC, captured the 1993 French Open doubles crown with his brother Murphy.

NEW YORK -- The men have had a very good tournament considering how much trash they've been taking about being washed up and boring. The guys have had some of the best matches with James Blake and Lleyton Hewitt in a five setter as well as Pete Sampras and Greg Rusedski. Whereas the marquee women have been cruising except for Jennifer Capriati, who lost Wednesday. There hasn't been a thriller yet.

But when the marquee women do tee it up, it will be exciting like Wednesday night's quarterfinal with Monica Seles and Venus Williams.

Andy Roddick (11), U.S. vs. Pete Sampras (17), U.S.
I think that Roddick, if he is patient from the baseline and doesn't have poor shot selection, will win.

But Sampras is still a 13-time Grand Slam winner. He's the second greatest player in the game since Rod Laver. You can't take away that experience. Roddick is enthusiastic, so Sampras will have to rely on his experience.

Because of the fast court, I'm picking Sampras.
Pick: Sampras

Fernando Gonzalez (28), Chile, vs. Sjeng Schalken (24), Netherlands
Gonzalez is a very quick player, people talk about how Hewitt's quick and Blake is fast. But Gonzalez blows everyone's mind as a retriever with a very nice forehand who can hit with power and consistency.

Schalken is a very tall player from Holland. He's a baseliner who hits the ball extremely flat. When he's hitting his ground game he's extremely effective as seen in his Wimbledon quarterfinals win against Hewitt last year.

But keep in mind that it's very windy here. If the wind keeps up, the advantage goes to the baseliner Gonzalez.
Pick: Schalken

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