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Thursday, May 23
 
Sampras, Blake come up short for U.S.

Associated Press

DUESSELDORF, Germany -- Pete Sampras and James Blake each lost in three sets Thursday and the United States was beaten 3-0 by Sweden in the semifinal round of the World Team Championships.

Sampras lost 6-2, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (5) to Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson. Blake held a match point against Thomas Enqvist but was beaten 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4).

In the doubles, Jonas Bjorkman and Johansson beat Blake and Jared Palmer 6-3, 6-4.

Blake forced to play singles after Andy Roddick complained of a left knee problem and pain in his right wrist, was devastated by his loss.

"I had my chances. I had the match on my racket, but I couldn't convert,'' Blake said. "It really stinks.

"I don't think I played badly, but I haven't felt like this since college. I haven't let down the team so far in Davis Cup, and this is the only time I've really let down the team.''

Sampras was still upbeat despite losing for the second time in three matches, all of which ended in a third-set tiebreaker.

"Once I missed a couple of serves, I pressed a bit and missed some backhands and kind of rushed things,'' Sampras said. "On clay, you can't expect to bomb a couple of serves and hold, and today I got a little impatient,'' Sampras said.

Argentina beat France 2-1 to reach the final.

Jose Acasuso beat Arnaud Clement 7-6 (1), 6-3, and Guillermo Canas defeated Nicolas Escude 7-5, 6-2.




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