Clash of the Times (Federer vs Sampras)

Giant posters of 4 players that came to Malaysia for exhibition match

After waited for months, yesterday was the day where Federer versus Sampras match was played in Stadium Malawati in Shah Alam. As it is in Thursday, i need to leave early from office as i afraid that it might be heavy traffic there. So i left office at 5.30pm and i reached there at 6.00pm and not many people was there. So outside the stadium there is some stalls promote their products such as Mercedes Benz, Wilson and so on. I passed by the Wilson booth and saw them selling some gears as souvenir for this match such as t-shirt, caps and so on. So due to budget constraint i can only get a cap and the picture of the cap i will post it later together with my cap collection.


Federer signs autograph for his fans after the practice session


Federer returns a backhand to Pete


Federer during practice session


Sampras practices his shot


Cultural dance before the start of the match



All rise during the national anthem


Jaclyn Victor performing in front of the crowd

So after getting the cap, nothing much there so decided to went in to the stadium. At that time, both Pete & Federer was practicing on the court and just few spectators went in. I took that time to take some pictures of them. So after they finished, when they leaving the court, many of their fans which is sitting at the corporate box approached them and get their autograph and also photo with them. How i wish i can get FedEx to sign on my cap.

So i returned to my seat which is located high above to take a rest. Then slowly, more and more spectators filled the stadium. By 7.30pm, it is about 80% full. Then at 8pm sharp, the night 'started'. The match is actually shown live to 60+ countries around the globe. Before start of the match, there were some dance, performance by 1st Malaysian Idol Jaclyn Victor and also drum performance. Then both players came on the court and they received a very warm reception from all their fans. We all stand for national anthem of Malaysia, US and Switzerland. Then the MC interviewed both of them before they start a 7 minutes practice session. Prior to start of the practice, they shot 10 balls to the spectators and too bad i cant get it. Then after that the match starts.


Sampras looking on the line where the ball dropped


Federer smashes the ball


Federer prepares to receive the serve

I was sitting exactly middle of the court which i can directly see the umpire. Sampras started the match first and throughout the match his serve was very consistent and powerful which giving Federer quite some problems to return the serve. The whole match barely any break points only once where Federer has a double break points but failed to convert it. So basically, who served won that point. There were some line call on Pete and there is once he argued with the lines man where he pointed to the line where the ball landed.


Federer taking a time off to have a drink


Pete was interviewed after the match

Basically the whole match was quite entertaining and in the end Federer won 7-6, 7-6. Federer was tricked quite several times by Pete and it seems that Pete is still quite competitive though he has been out from competitive game for 5 years. Then after the match, its the trophy presentation and our country ruler presented the trophy to Federer.


FedEx with the trophy


Both leaving the court after the match

Then there is a lucky draw where 3 lucky person able to meet both of them for a autograph and photo session. Only those who purchase the program book entitled to be drawn. So after that, i just left that place for home.