Hot shot

Pete Sampras has tipped Rafa Nadal to beat Roger Federer's 17 Grand Slam titles, saying he has never seen anything like the powerhouse Spaniard. Sampras saw Federer eclipse his own 14 Grand Slams, and Nadal almost drew even before falling to Stanislas Wawrinka in Sunday's final of the Australian Open. "He is incredible," Sampras said in a BBC television interview after witnessing Nadal in action for the first time live on Friday. "The movement he has is incredible, he is able to adjust his shots on the run, I have just never seen anything like it.

"He is tough, he is mentally tough, he has the whole package He is not looking at 14 (Grand Slams), he is looking beyond. Realistically, he could well get to 17 or 18 majors when it is all said and done. He is a great credit to the sport of tennis."

Reuters