BOSTON, Mass., May 2, 2008 – John McEnroe of the United States continued to surprise fans at the $150,000 Champions Cup Boston with a 2-6, 7-5, 10-4 (Champions Tie Break) win over fellow American Pete Sampras at the Agganis Arena. In Friday afternoon's opening match, Aaron Krickstein of the United States prevailed 5-7 7-5 10-8 (Champions Tie Break) over Wayne Ferreira of South Africa. Mikael Pernfors of Sweden defeated MaliVai Washington of the United States 6-3 6-1. Jim Courier of the United States also advanced when fellow American Jimmy Arias withdrew from the event due to a hamstring injury. The Champions Cup Boston, which runs through May 4, is the third of eight events on the 2008 Outback Champions Series, the global tennis circuit for champion tennis players age 30 and over.

McEnroe used his trademark fighting spirit to stay in the long rallies throughout the match, ultimately handing Sampras his first loss on the Outback Champions Series. The win also guarantees McEnroe a place in Sunday's championship final.

"Pete gets you unnerved with you rhythm," McEnroe said. "I played great yesterday and today I felt I was hanging on for dear life."

Sampras had high praise for McEnroe's performance during the match.

"All the credit to John," Sampras said. "He really played great and hung in the second set. He hit some great shots and his serve was very tough to return."

In the opening match of Friday's day session, Ferreira served for the match against Krickstein at 6-5 in the second set, but Krickstein broke his serve and rode the momentum to victory in the Champions Tie Break.

"When it gets to the tiebreaker, it's anyone's game and I had some momentum heading into it," Krickstein said. "Moving forward, I am going to need serve well on a more consistent basis."

Ferreira was unavailable to reporters after the match.

In the second match of the day, Pernfors consistently hit winners off his forehand side and had a high percentage of points won at the net as he overwhelmed Washington throughout the match.

"I knew I had to win to have any chance to move on," Pernfors said. "I felt the way I have been playing, if I could get on top of him it would give me a chance to win. I felt as good as I have in the last five months."

Despite the loss, Washington felt he had made progress from his last match.

"I felt more comfortable than I did two days ago, although the score doesn't indicate it," Washngton said. "Mikael makes you work hard. You have to be able to overpower him and hit a few winners. If you don't and he gets his racket on it, he can jerk the ball around the court. Right now I am at a disadvantage when I get long baseline rallies and have to try to defend."

Arias withdrew from the tournament this afternoon due to a hamstring injury suffered in Thursday night's match against Sampras, giving Courier a win by walkover. Justin Gimelstob of the United States stepped in to play an exhibition match against Courier before Sampras and McEnroe took the court. Gimelstob prevailed with a 6-7 7-6 10-8 (Champions Tie Break) win.

Saturday's schedule is highlighted by fellow Americans Pete Sampras and Jim Courier facing off in the last match of the evening session. The winner of this match will also advance to the match for third place on Sunday. In the opening match of the evening session, Mikael Pernfors will play Aaron Krickstein. Krickstein is guaranteed a place in the championship match if he wins against Pernfors. The day session kicks off with Malivai Washington taking on Wayne Ferreira.



RESULTS AND SCHEDULE FOR 2008 CHAMPIONS CUP BOSTON

Wednesday, April 30
Wayne Ferreira, South Africa, def. Mikael Pernfors, Sweden, 6-2, 6-2 Aaron Krickstein, United States, def. MaliVai Washington, United States, 6-2, 6-2

Thursday, May 1
Beginning at 7:30 pm
Pete Sampras, United States, def. Jimmy Arias, United States, 4-5, ret.
John McEnroe, United States, def. Jim Courier, United States, 6-4, 6-4

Friday, May 2
Beginning at 2:30 pm
Aaron Krickstein, United States, def. Wayne Ferreira, South Africa, 5-7, 7-5, 10-8 (Champions Tie Break) Followed by Mikael Pernfors, Sweden, def. Malivai Washington, United States, 6-3, 6-1

Beginning at 7:30 pm
Jim Courier, United States, def. Jimmy Arias, United States, walkover.
Followed by
John McEnroe, United States, def. Pete Sampras, United States, 2-6, 7-5, 10-4 (Champions Tie Break)

Saturday, May 3
Beginning at 2:30 pm
MaliVai Washington vs. Wayne Ferreira
Followed by
John McEnroe vs. Jimmy Arias
Beginning at 7:30 pm
Mikael Pernfors vs. Aaron Krickstein
Followed by
Pete Sampras vs. Jim Courier

Sunday, May 4
Beginning at 2:30 pm
Third-place Match
Followed by
Championship Match