I must be honest.

I have been looking forward to seeing this match up since I heard Pete and Roger had a practice session in Sampras' back yard last Spring. Apparently, there were about 19,000 other people interested as well because Madison Square Garden was packed to the rafters last night.

As I watched carefully I was truly amazed by a couple of technical things in each players game. Firstly, Sampras still has a big booming serve. You can really see and hear the ramification of his uncoiling power on his overhead and serve. This stroke is by far still the most impressive part of this 14 time Grand Slam Champion's game.

Roger just moves so gracefully. He is fluid, fast, quick and elastic. Some of the "gets" he runs down are what stand out with me each time I see him. I really feel this movement and shotmaking really are his strength. The day he loses his speed and flexibility will be defining. Federer has so much game, though, he could easily convert into a serve and volley player to accommodate any loss of foot speed or range.

As I watched the match it was interesting to see the difference in their forehands. I forgot how devastatingly flat Pete forehand was albeit is a rusty version of his old game. Roger's forehand and his semi-western grip apply a blend of power and spin that really give him a tremendous weapon.

Most of the match Pete spent time keeping the play in front of him with a lot of chipping and charging. I now see why players don't play this way in the year 2008. It is very difficult to do. Players, such as Federer in particular, are so quick to get into position and rocket these spinning missiles past the charging net man. Roger was equally devastating on the forehand pass as well as the backhand.

Sampras did try to utilize his forehand a bit to charge the net but Roger would not let him get into position to make offensive shots from that side without sacrificing court position.

Pete was rusty. At one point in particular, Pete snuck in on a 2nd serve only to bounce it off the bottom of his frame straight into the court beneath him. It was an awkward moment but one that all got a laugh out of. The Roger. Then Pete. In that order. It took Sampras awhile to absorb what had happened eventually looking up on on the Jumbo screen for verification.

It was more than nice to see these guys play. It would be even more fun if they did this in the future. Especially, if Pete doesn't mind honing his game for a match or two a year against the current crop of greats. Rumor is London is on the schedule next (not Wimbledon mind you but London none the less).

I also wouldn't mind seeing Nadal vs Sampras at some point on a hard court. Who knows maybe even Agassi would want to get into the spirit of things. I hear he is working out and bulking up. I am curious how his new and larger frame translates to a tennis court. Is anyone else curious?

THE SHOW

Star Games did a great job of producing the event. They went with a Star Wars theme as you will see in the video below. Federer as Dark Vader and Sampras as Luke Skywalker. Enjoy the video below of that memorable introduction. Their will be a DVD of the match available in the future so stay tuned for that. It should be a nice piece of tennis memorabilia.