KEY POINTS:
SEOUL - In an exhibition match between the giants of tennis present and past, world No. 1 Roger Federer defeated Pete Sampras in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.
The match in Seoul is the first of three Asian exhibitions the two legends will play. The pair meet again on Friday (NZ time) in Kuala Lumpur before heading to Macau two days later.
Sampras, 36, retired in 2002, a year after the only previous meeting between the pair at Wimbledon 2001. Federer won that fourth round match in five sets. If the Swiss star - who lifted his fourth Masters Cup title on Monday in Shanghai - expected an easier ride against the aging American he was in for a shock.
The American legend, who is unbeaten in three starts on the Jim Courier Champions seniors tour, brought cheers from the crowd at Seoul's Olympic Tennis Arena as he fired down two fierce aces in his first service game.
"I feel a little disappointed," Sampras said. "But I made Roger sweat a little bit tonight.
"I can still serve quite well but the hardest thing for me is movement.
"I was a little careless up on the net and missed a few easy balls. But I think I will play well in the next match."
Federer admitted he was "tensed up a bit" because he was facing one of his heroes. But once he found his rhythm, the Swiss was off and running.
"It was a little tricky situation. I'd been playing well and Pete's been retired for five years," Federer said. "I expected myself to win tonight.
"When I found my range, Pete missed a few too many shots," Federer said.
"I was maybe lucky to win the first set. Then I got on a roll and started to relax. I enjoyed the match very much."
"I am very happy with my performance but I think Pete's still playing very, very well."
- AP, NZ HERALD STAFF