U.S. Open Reigns

NEW YORK —  Pete Sampras has been on a rescue mission these last two weeks at the U.S. Open. Since 1993, he has won at least two Grand Slam titles each year, and he needed to win here to salvage a season that had not lived up to his standards.

A determined Sampras is a formidable figure, so it was not surprising that he rescued his season Sunday by defeating Michael Chang, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), to win his fourth U.S. Open title and his eighth Grand Slam title.

He accomplished the feat on the birthday of his late coach, Tim Gullikson, under whose guidance Sampras blossomed from a gangly, fragile baseliner to a mentally tough and dynamic world No. 1.

Because of the standard Gullikson set for Sampras, the 25-year-old would not accept his season without a major title. But he had his doubts.

“I never thought I would be here as a winner,” Sampras said. “It really saved my year. It wasn’t a bad year. But this will definitely make the rest of the ’96 season very enjoyable to play. My main goal since Jan. 1 [has been] to win a major title. It’s a great way to end it.

“I have won a number of [Grand Slam titles] in the past four years, and the more [I win, the more] I want to win them. It’s not the money, it’s not the commercials, it’s the titles. That’s what I’ll be remembered for.”

Sampras raised his arms in triumph after the match and, in a now familiar gesture, he looked to the sky. Sampras gave a thumbs-up to Tim’s identical twin brother, Tom, whose voice from the courtside box is similar to his brother’s and comforting to Sampras.

“Today is Tim’s birthday, he would be 45 today,” Sampras said. “I was thinking about him all day. On the court I was thinking about things he told me. He’s not with us, but he’s here in spirit.”

Sampras’ spirit carried him through the 1 hour 59-minute match in dominating fashion.

The start was delayed 2 1/2 hours because of rain. As happened with the women’s final, which preceded the men’s, there was no rainfall during play but a steady rain began soon after the match concluded.

Chang didn’t start well, with Sampras breaking his serve in the second game of the first set. Sampras’ serve was devastating, as usual. He had 13 aces, a number that surely would have been higher against anyone else. Even with Chang’s ability to return serve, the second-seeded player had trouble handling Sampras’ biggest weapon.

“I got off to a great start,” Sampras said. “My serve was there, everything was just clicking. Those are the days you dream about, especially in a final.”

Chang didn’t hold his serve until the sixth game of the first set, and he did it with two aces. A Sampras ace concluded the set.

Sampras broke again in the opening game of the second set and rolled through his service game at love. When Chang smacked a forehand winner on the first point of the third game he was rewarded with a smattering of applause from the crowd.

Chang salvaged something for himself by breaking Sampras in the sixth game. Chang held on the next game for his first lead in a set. But he was broken in the ninth game and Sampras served out the set.

Sampras dominated the tiebreaker, which was pivotal. Had Chang won the set, an already-tired Sampras might have reeled at the thought of a protracted Chang-style match.

Chang is one of the few veteran tour players who continues to improve his game. He’s never satisfied. He and brother Carl, who is his coach, constantly tinker with his game.

“In my life, it seems I’ve always been challenged to persevere,” Chang said. “This is no exception. Today, things didn’t go my way. I’m going to keep my head up and continue to work hard.”

Chang had the opportunity to take over No. 1 had he won. A year ago, a scenario that had Chang as the No. 1 men’s player would have been scoffed at. It’s no longer a wild notion. Few players dedicate themselves to their profession as Chang does and few are as consistent. He is 22-3 on hardcourts since Wimbledon.

“The way I look at it, no offense to Pete, is what goes up must come down, “ Chang said. “ I’m No 2. Next in line.”