LONDON: Pete Sampras has dismissed suggestions that Roger Federer has gone into decline and backed the Swiss star to beat his record of 14 grand slam titles.

Federer, 27, is one short of that mark but has had a mixed year, his US Open victory having been offset by the loss of the Wimbledon and French Open finals and his World No 1 slot to Rafael Nadal.

Sampras, however, believes Federer has too much talent not to continue picking up major titles for some years to come, insisting: "There's a lot left in Roger.

"I think he'd like to get back to No 1 and he's looking forward to breaking my record soon. He can win as many Wimbledons as he wants -- he's got the game.

"I've been pretty accepting that he'll break my mark because he's a credit to the game, he's a friend and there's nothing I can do about it, apart from sit back and watch him do it and respect it."
At 22 and with five grand slam titles already, Nadal may yet eclipse both Sampras and Federer's haul, but Sampras fears that the Spaniard's hard-hitting style will take its toll on his body.

"The amount of work he has to do to stay on top and stay healthy -- I think that's where Roger has a bit of an advantage because it takes a lot less energy for Roger to stay on top than Nadal.



l SYDNEY: World No 1 Jelena Jankovic is a doubt for next month's Sydney International and will have to request a wild card to play in the tournament, officials said yesterday.

The Serbian had indicated she would contest the Sydney event which begins on Jan 11 but will not be on the official acceptance list because she has not yet finalised her 2009 playing schedule.

"We had some good signs from Jelena early on and she indicated to me in New York that she was looking forward to returning to Sydney," tournament director Craig Watson said. -- AFP