RCA CHAMPIONSHIPS

August 18, 1995

Pete Sampras

PETE SAMPRAS: Yeah, the serve is definitely -- it is definitely there, you know, it is definitely at its best and, you know, playing someone that returns as well as Andrei, you really need to pick your corners well. I was hitting my second serve with a lot of pace, and, you know, this is my best match so far in the summer, and to beat Andrei 2 and 2 like I said pretty good effort.

PETE SAMPRAS: The matchpoint? Yeah, example of how the match went for me. I was really on every aspect of my game, I thought I played as well as I could. I rushed well. You know, I wish every match would go this smoothly. Unfortunately it doesn't, but, you know, my whole game kind of just revolves around my serve. If I am serving well and holding my serve pretty easy, that kind of lets the rest of my game just follow in its foot steps, and so this is the best I have played so far in this tournament.

PETE SAMPRAS: I have been practicing 12 o'clock each day. It is the same for both guys and the heat wasn't quite -- if it didn't rain, it would have been pretty warm. Tomorrow will be a good test playing someone like Karbacher who seems like he handles the heat pretty well; obviously playing pretty well. So tomorrow will be a good test for me.

PETE SAMPRAS: Big. I mean, he has got a big thumper of a serve. Got huge groundies. He just goes for it, and that is what makes him real dangerous, you know, he has got a good backhand; does everything pretty well. The match will be pretty similar to the match I just played with Andrei. He will be staying back most of the time, but he will come in on certain shots, but I played him three or four months ago at the Lipton and beat him in straight sets, but I am sure tomorrow he will be ready for me.

PETE SAMPRAS: No, not really. No, you know, just hard courts are little bit tough on the bones.

PETE SAMPRAS: I have usually over the past 5-6 years, I either play three or four events and this year, because my trouble last year, I decided to play 3 tournaments, Montreal, Cincy and Indy which is a perfect schedule. I had two weeks off after Wimbledon. I have had plenty of matches, so I am definitely match-ready for the U.S. Open. It certainly would be nice to go in there with a win from Indy. This hard court schedule, you want to play a lot, but you don't want to play too much where you really burn yourself out.