Rusedski Shocks No. 1 Enqvist, Lines Up Sampras in Smack-talk Rematch at Seniors Chengdu China

Greg Rusedski caused a major surprise at the Chengdu Open on Friday by defeating the dominant player on the ATP Champions Tour, Thomas Enqvist, 7-6(3), 3-6, 10-7 (Champions' Tie-Break). Prior to the match, Enqvist had amassed a 26-1 win-loss record since joining the ATP Champions Tour last year, but Rusedski had signalled the threat that he carries when he narrowly missed out on beating him in the Algarve in August. Enqvist had triumphed 15-13 in a deciding-set Champions' Tie-Break, but this time it was a different story.

Rusedski used his enormous, left-handed service to his advantage to squeeze through an opening set tiebreak, and despite losing the second set, he still had enough on his serve to win the deciding set Champions' Tie-Break 10-7.

"It's nice when you can play well out there," said Grinning Greg. "It's always nice to know that you're in good shape and playing well and to beat Thomas is really an achievement because he has such a great record on the tour since he joined. I'm still able to serve at about 138 mph so that really helps me out there when I can get some cheap points."

Pete Sampras continued his imperious form since arriving in Chengdu. The American overcame Guy Forget 7-6(9), 6-3, and now faces Paradorn Srichaphan in his final group match. Sampras at 2-0 is virtually a lock to reach the final, where Rusedski could be waiting on Sunday.

Rusedski famously said Sampras was "a half-step slow" after losing to him at the 2002 US Open, and predicted he would lose the next round.

"I thought we both played pretty well," Sampras said of Forget. "Guy has always given me problems and has beaten me a number of times because the lefty serve is very tough to play, especially at altitude where the ball kicks up very high to my backhand. The first set could have gone either way so I'm happy I was able to come through."

In Group B, Yevgeny Kafelnikov scored an impressive 6-3, 6-4 win over Pat Rafter, while Srichaphan secured his first-ever victory on the ATP Champions Tour, squeezing past Pat Cash 6-4, 5-7, 10-5 (Champions' Tie Break).

Rusedski will now meet Kafelnikov on Saturday as he tries to secure his place in the final.