Alex Corretja stayed true to his theory. He said in Davis Cup, "In
one day, in one match, anything can happen". With that in his mind,
he scored a stunning victory in the quarterfinal tie of the Davis Cup
by BNP Paribas by coming back from two sets to love down to beat
the "master of grass", Pete Sampras, 4-6, 4-6, 7-6(7/4), 7-5, 6-4.

The three hour 56 minute win by Corretja, which was only his fourth
on grass in a twelve-year career, allowed Spain to level the tie at 1-
1 with the USA. In the first match of the series Andy Roddick used
his booming serve to beat Tommy Robredo 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 (9/7).

"This goes in a very high position (in my career)," said
Corretja. "It's always nice when you win tournaments but beating
Sampras on grass after losing the first two sets. It makes something
special, and especially when it's in Davis Cup.

"I would like to be in Europe when the people there read in the
morning that Corretja beat Sampras on grass. As a professional tennis
player, this is something pretty satisfying."

Sampras was looking for his 100th win on grass. This is only the
second time that Sampras has lost a five set match on grass.

"It was certainly a surprising (turn of events) to be up two sets and
Pete playing as well as he was," said US captain Patrick
McEnroe. "But Corretja is a great competitor. He hung in there and
slowly started to turn the match around. But, you know, we're still 1-
1. I still like where we are. I'd like to be 2-0, I'd prefer to be 2-
0. I can't say I'm not disappointed that we're 1-1. So I like where
we are. Corretja had to work awfully hard in the match. And, you
know, we'll be ready for the doubles."

Corretja had started to mix up his game when he won the tiebreak and
on grass a tiebreak can be a shoot out, a "roll of the dice". On the
big points he was serving to Sampras' backhand and the American
started to get a bit defensive on the return. Still, Sampras had his
fair share of opportunities but it seemed that his confidence was a
bit shot, but that's just the way Davis Cup is and that's what it can
do to any great player. This is not about playing for oneself but for
one's national pride.

"Crazy things happen. It's one match; it's not a course of a long two-
week tournament. That's what makes Davis Cup unique and exciting,"
said McEnroe. It wasn't that Pete wasn't giving the effort, he was,
he was giving as much as he could. It just didn't click. And Alex
came up with great shots when he needed to."

Sampras was almost shell-shocked. It was a case of snatching defeat
from the jaws of victory. As he put it: "Definitely a match I should
have won on paper." He naturally felt like he was in control but he
possibly underestimated the Spaniard on grass and if you "take your
foot off the pedal for just a moment" a result like this can happen.

"I'm kind of kicking myself a little bit," said Sampras. "The whole
match kind of changed after the third set. He grew some confidence
and started playing a little bit better. I had a ton of chances, I
really did."

Earlier Andy Roddick had used his booming serve to great effect
against Tommy Robredo. At times he hit serves registering 140 mph as
he claimed their match in one hour 48 minutes.

The doubles rubber will be played on Saturday with the Americans
being represented by Todd Martin and James Blake for the first time
in Davis Cup, while Spain will put forward it's experienced
combination of Corretja and Juan Balcells. Both team have expressed a
desire to maintain the nominated combinations although they have up
to one hour before the match to change partnerships.

"A doubles change could happen and we'll talk about it but I feel
good about the two guys," said McEnroe. "They'll be ready to go. If
we decide to change, you'll be first to know, but I'm not planning on
it."