Sampras reaches Hamlet Cup semi-finals

Pete Sampras reached the semi-finals of the Hamlet Cup with a 7-5 6-3 victory over Felix Mantilla.  

Sampras will play the winner of the quarter-final match between Thomas Johansson and Thomas Enqvist.

Fourth-seeded Arnaud Clement rallied from a poor opening set for a 1-6 6-3 6-3 victory over Fernando Meligeni on Friday and also advanced to Saturday's semi-finals.

Clement will face Tommy Haas, who beat Jonas Bjorkman 6-1, 6-4.

Sampras, who hasn't won in his last 15 tournaments, said: "This was a good, solid victory. My game has gotten better each time out this week. The rhythm is there, I'm serving well and hitting solidly from the baseline."

Sampras admits he's pointing to next week's US Open, but he still wants the title here.

"The only time I was happy reaching the semi-finals was when I was 17.

"Now I want to win a championship every time out. I know I'm hard on myself. Those close to me remind me of what I've accomplished.

"I guess I need to hear that every now and then, but that will not change my approach. I set the bar high and it's staying there."

Enqvist and Johansson both had to play two matches Friday because their second-round matches were postponed by rain Thursday.

Enqvist beat Julien Boutter 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the quarter-finals, while Johansson defeated Anthony Dupuis 6-3, 6-1.