Safin shocks Sampras

For once 'Pistol' Pete ran out of bullets and his opponent didn't. In one of the biggest upsets ever, 20-year-old Russian, Marat Safin devastated Sampras in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 to lift the men's singles title at the US Open.

In a breathtaking performance that shocked not only Sampras but the home crowd as well, Safin became the youngest player to win a Grand Slam cup since Sampras won the US Open in 1990.

The Russian seems ready to inherit the mantle of the world's best player from Sampras and in Sampras' own words would represent the future of the sport well.

It was widely thought that the experience the Sampras had gained over the years would give him the edge in the final and allow Sampras to break the record for most Grand Slams won by a player. But Safin just didn't allow the expected nervousness to materialise.

He toyed with Sampras during the match, returning his service in a way which very few can ever claim to. He had the answers to everything Sampras tried and Sampras ended up winning only 52 per cent of his net forays. Safin used the top spin lob to great effect much in the same way as he had used it against Todd Martin.

Safin says now his next aim is to become number 1. This is what could signal the changing of the guard in the sport of tennis.