Davis Cup Glory: Those Pete Sampras days in Moscow when Team USA produced their "best clay court tennis ever"
ATPMonday, 18 September 2023 at 02:30
The 1995
Davis Cup witnessed one of the best performances by the USA team, with an
inspired Pete Sampras leading his country to the title on clay.
Pete
Sampras, a 14-time Grand Slam champion and one of tennis' all-time legends,
held the record for the most major titles until it was surpassed by Roger
Federer at Wimbledon in 2009, and subsequently by Rafael Nadal and Novak
Djokovic.
Sampras was
also instrumental in his country's Davis Cup team and helped the USA win the
title in 1995 when they faced Russia on the road. The former world No. 1 had to
play on clay, a surface that didn't favor his game, and he faced two clay court
specialists: Andrei Chesnokov and Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
At the age
of 24, Sampras won the first match against Chesnokov with a score of 3-6, 6-4,
6-3, 6-7(5), 6-4. Later, Jim Courier was defeated by Kafelnikov (7-6(1), 7-5,
6-3), leveling the series at 1-1.
On the
second day, Sampras took the court alongside Todd Martin, and they secured
victory over Kafelnikov and Olhovskiy with a score of 7-5, 6-4, 6-3 in the
doubles rubber.
In the
fourth match, Sampras delivered the decisive win for his country with a
dominant performance against Kafelnikov, winning 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(5). With the
series clinched, Courier lost a three-set match to Chesnokov (6-7(1), 7-5,
6-0), concluding the series at 3-2, with Sampras winning all three matches he
played to secure the title for his country.
The team's
captain at that time, Tom Gullikson, showered world No. 1 Pete Sampras with
praise for his remarkable performance.
"I've
never seen better clay court tennis," he said.
"The
combination of power and patience and precision serving. It was flawless
tennis."
"The
great players have a sense of history," Gullikson said. "When the
great players go down in the history books, not only will they be remembered by
Grand Slam singles titles but how many times did they help their country win
the Davis Cup. It's a special thing, it's a team thing," Gullikson added.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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