Pete Sampras captivated tennis fans worldwide when he captured his maiden Grand Slam title at the 1990 US Open. At age 19, the big-serving American became the youngest men’s singles champion in tournament history, a record which still holds today, and found himself thrust into the spotlight.

Although Sampras appeared to handle the increased expectations well, he reflected on the moment 30 years later and said he wasn’t ready for it as an introverted teenager.

“I struggled off court being around people, the media, the attention… I just struggled for the next six or eight months,” Sampras told Tim Henman in the latest edition of ATP Champions Tour: Legends Live. “It was a tough adjustment for me… I’ve won the US Open and I’m recognised around the world. I wasn’t ready for it. I was 19 and it takes time to become more secure in your game or even who you are as a person. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I won the Open. It was a great moment. But it was a little too soon.”

Sampras arrived in New York with two titles that year in Philadelphia and Manchester, along with several other deep runs that contributed to his FedEx ATP Ranking rising in eight months from No. 69 to No. 12. Although he had a pair of Top 10 wins to his name, Sampras had yet to show he could beat the world’s best players on the biggest stages.

“I was pretty young at the time. I was only a pro for a couple of years and was sort of a dark horse,” Sampras said. “I was just trying to make the second week. I’m not looking to win it… The mindset was that I had nothing to lose. I just went out there and played great tennis.”

Sampras made headlines by taking out World No. 6 Thomas Muster for his first Grand Slam quarter-final, but he was far from done. He stunned three-time US Open champion Ivan Lendl in the last eight, then defeated John McEnroe in the semi-finals and Andre Agassi in the championship match.

It was the start of Sampras’ love affair with New York. He won the tournament four more times (1993, 1995-1996, 2002), fittingly playing his last professional match against Agassi in the 2002 US Open final.

”I won that match against Ivan and everything changed… For those two weeks, I just got in the zone,” Sampras said. “I developed this 125mph serve down the middle and was painting the lines, trying to get into the net and serving-and-volleying. I can’t explain it.”

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Who has been the hottest player on the ATP Challenger Tour during the restart? There is only one answer.

Aslan Karatsev was a dominant force since the tour kicked off, returning with a vengeance in the Czech Republic. Hungry and motivated following the five-month COVID-19 hiatus, the 27-year-old Karatsev is in the midst of the best stretch of his career.

How good has Karatsev been? The Russian won 15 of 16 matches on Czech soil, with his lone defeat coming to former World No. 3 Stan Wawrinka in the Prague I final. It was his first match against a Top 20 player in seven years and only gave him more confidence going forward.

Karatsev battled for nearly two hours against the Swiss star and he would proceed to lift back-to-back trophies in Prague II and Ostrava in the subsequent weeks. In fact, he reeled off 13 sets in a row in that span, notching convincing final victories over Tallon Griekspoor (Prague II) and Oscar Otte (Ostrava). He soared more than 100 spots to a career-high No. 140 in the FedEx ATP Rankings.

“It’s always great to win the title and these were a few big Challengers,” said Karatsev. “The two weeks in Prague and the week in Ostrava were fantastic for me. I beat two really good guys and I lost to Wawrinka in the first final. I’m happy to make these [FedEx ATP Rankings] points so quickly.”

Karatsev with the Ostrava trophy

Five years removed from his lone previous title on the ATP Challenger Tour, Karatsev surprised himself with his ruthless run. But most importantly, he showed that he’s capable of much more than even he believed.

An integral part of the Russian’s team was missing throughout the three-week stretch. Alberto Lopez, Karatsev’s coach of almost two years, was supposed to travel with his pupil to these initial tournaments, but had to cancel his plans due to restrictions surrounding the pandemic.

Lopez, who previously guided Garbine Muguruza to WTA No. 1, was unable to get a visa from their training base in Belarus. He was forced to stay behind, leaving Karatsev on his own in Prague and Ostrava. Coach or no coach, the Russian showed what he’s capable of.

Karatsev’s Restart

“My coach couldn’t be here with me, but we put in a lot of work during the pandemic. It’s been tough for everyone. I was staying at home for a while and then I went to the U.S. to practise and play exhibition matches. That was good preparation. I spoke to my coach and we decided to just keep it simple. It worked and we did a great job.”

“I didn’t expect it,” Karatsev told Florian Heer of Tennis TourTalk. “I don’t know the secret but I focused on my game… I would say that my game has become more consistent, not having too many ups and downs. I also had to cope with a knee injury three years ago but now everything is fine. I just go from match to match.”

Karatsev leads the Challenger circuit in match wins this year, owning a 24-5 record. His successful season started well before the tour’s restart, having also reached the final in Bangkok in January. That’s a total of four final appearances from seven tournaments entered in 2020.

After opening the year just inside the Top 300 of the FedEx ATP Rankings, Karatsev is projected to rise to a career-high Top 120 position on Monday. He will next compete at Roland Garros qualifying, beginning 21 September. The 27-year-old, who seeks his first Grand Slam main draw in what will be his ninth attempt, is appearing in qualifying for the first time since the 2016 US Open.

Dominic Thiem and Daniil Medvedev have put their focus on each match in front of them this fortnight, but are very aware this is the first US Open semi-final lineup since 2003 to not include anyone in the Big Three. Both men arrive in peak form for their semi-final match on Friday and are hungry to move one step closer to a maiden Grand Slam title.

”There is no Roger, Rafa or Novak, but there is Daniil, Sascha and Pablo. They are three amazing players,” Thiem said. “Every single one of us deserves his first major title.”

Dominic Thiem (2) vs. Daniil Medvedev (3) – Thiem leads 2-1

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Thiem leads 2-1 in his ATP Head2Head rivalry with Medvedev, but the Russian won their most recent showdown last year in Montreal. Medvedev only lost four games and won 16 of the first 17 points in the second set of that quarter-final clash.

“I would say that he comes very close to the Big Three in terms of how he can play his top level for… four, five, six hours. That’s going to be really difficult,” Thiem said. “But I’m looking forward to that one. I think it’s going to be a big stage. It’s going to be a great semi-final.”

After a shocking opening-round defeat two weeks ago at the Western & Southern Open, Thiem needed time to regain his confidence. He advanced through his first three rounds at the US Open with spurts of patchy form. But once he reached the second week, his game kicked into high gear. Thiem only dropped 15 games combined against Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alex de Minaur, sending a clear message that he wants to be the last man standing on Sunday.

Thiem will need to utilise heavy topspin, particularly on the backhand wing, in order to get on top of rallies against Medvedev. The Russian’s flatter groundstrokes are more difficult to execute when he’s forced to hit balls above his shoulder. But even for a player of Thiem’s class, finding the sweet spot of precision and power required to win points against Medvedev won’t be an easy task.

Medvedev has also displayed dominant form this fortnight. The 24-year-old hasn’t dropped a set and has only been broken three times in 68 service games (96%). Although not known as a big server, his placement has been impeccable and set him up to control the rallies against his opponents.

He’s also been equally imposing when returning. Medvedev has converted 25 of 48 break points (52%) and won 25 of 66 return games (38%).

US Open 2020: Medvedev & Thiem By The Numbers

But the 24-year-old knows how forceful Thiem can be in return games and baseline exchanges. He was overwhelmed by the Austrian in the 2019 Barcelona final, winning just five points in the second set and only one of the last 13 games. Although the fast hard courts of New York are more favourable to Medvedev’s game, he knows it will be a long night if he’s not at this best.

“Dominic is a tough opponent to play… I got to feel it last year in the final of Barcelona,” Medvedev said. “On hard courts, I think it’s a little bit easier. When I say ‘easier’, he just made the final of the Australian Open. For me, it will be easier to play him on hard courts than clay courts.

“He tries to [run] around with a forehand and just go for it. I think there is not much you can do than just try to face it and see what you can do with it.”

Medvedev will look to get on top of rallies early, using his flat groundstrokes to keep the ball low and prevent Thiem from hitting in his preferred strike zone. The third seed has also shown an increased willingness to finish points at net. Keeping points short when possible will force Thiem out of lengthy rallies he thrives on and preserve energy for what is sure to be a grueling match.