SAMPRAS OUTLASTS COURIER TO WIN CTCA CHAMPIONSHIPS

Written by: Staff on 9th October 2011

SAMPRAS OUTLASTS COURIER TO WIN CTCA CHAMPIONSHIPS

US tennis star Pete Sampras serves the ball to former world number one Marat Safin of Russia during an exhibition match to inaugurate the new Tennis China Open center court in Beijing, China, 30 September 2011. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL |

Pete Sampras outlasted Jim Courier 8-7 (4) in the championship match of the CTCA Championships Saturday night in Surprise, Arizona. It was his third victory of the 2011 Champions Series, as Sampras increased his lead in the overall Champions Series points rankings with the victory. Sampras now leads Courier by 300 points at the midway point of the 2011 Champions Series, with six of the 12 events completed.

“It’s frustrating to come that close and not win,” said Courier, who reached his fourth championship match of the 2011 Series, but has yet to win. “Pete’s serve was the difference once again tonight. After I was able to break his serve, I liked my chances. But in the end, his mental toughness is one of his greatest strengths and he was able to regain the momentum, and hold on for the win.”

Sampras advanced to the final with a 6-3 semifinal triumph over Michael Chang, while Courier got by Mats Wilander 6-3 in the night’s first semifinal.

For the victory, Sampras earned 400 points in the official 2011 Champions Series rankings, and remains on top with 1,300 points. Courier moved into second place alone by earning 200 points, and now has a total of 1,000. Chang sits in third with 900, and Andre Agassi is in fourth with 800 after six events. The top 3 finishers at the end of the 2011 Champions Series will share a one million dollar bonus pool.

The Champions Series resumes next Thursday night with the Washington Trust Bank Champions Cup in Seattle, followed by the HSBC Tennis Cup Friday night in Los Angeles, and the CTCA Championships in Las Vegas one week from tonight. Tickets and unique interactive VIP fan experiences for the 2011 Champions Series are on sale to the general public and start at $35. Tickets are available at venue box offices, all Ticketmaster locations, 202-397-SEAT or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

The 2011 Champions Series is a competitive tennis circuit featuring legendary tennis icons and world-renowned champions. The 12-city tour of one-night tournaments is being played in major U.S. arenas from September 22 – October 22.

TONIGHT’S SCORES
Semifinal 1: Courier def. Wilander, 6-3
Semifinal 2: Sampras def. Chang, 6-3
Final: Sampras def. Courier, 8-7 (4)

Champions Series Rankings                         Points (thru six events)

1  Sampras                                                           1300

2  Courier                                                             1000

3  Chang                                                               900

4  Agassi                                                               800

5  Martin                                                               400

6  Connors                                                            200
7  Lendl                                                                100

Wilander                                                          100