ROME - Pete Sampras' attempts to complete the Grand Slam jigsaw of his memorable tennis career were undermined yesterday as he suffered an early exit from the $US2.95 million ($6.98 million) Rome Masters Series event.
The fourth-seeded American lost 7-5 2-6 6-4 to Israel's Harel Levy in a first-round match held over from Monday because of rain. The defeat leaves Sampras with a shortage of clay-court match practice ahead of this month's French Open - the only Grand Slam title to elude the 29-year-old.
"He played very well ... but it is disappointing for me," Sampras said afterwards. "I felt good coming into the tournament, and now I have to start again."
Sampras was not the only big name to perish on the Foro Italico clay yesterday. French Open favourite Andre Agassi suffered a miserable start to his clay-court season as he was shocked by Spain's Alex Calatrava. Agassi, the third seed, hit 35 unforced errors and lost 6-3 6-3. Dominik Hrbaty, the Slovak 16th seed, was knocked out by South African Wayne Ferreira 6-2 6-4, but seventh seed Lleyton Hewitt bucked the trend, beating the Czech Republic's Bohdan Ulihrach 6-1 2-6 7-5.
Sampras, the 13-times Grand Slam winner, has been planning his clay-court season for months. He now says he needs rigorous preparation if he is to triumph at Roland Garros - and become the sixth man in history to win all four majors.
Sampras plans to play in the Hamburg Masters Series event and the World Team Cup in Duesseldorf to get more clay match play ahead of the French Open, which begins in Paris on May 28. Agassi, Sampras' long-time rival and compatriot, looked ill at ease on the clay. It was his first competitive appearance of the year on the surface.
Tennis: Sampras loss knocks grand plan
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