Tennis: Sampras crashes out to Blanco

Pete Sampras has crashed out of the French Open to Spanish clay court specialist Galo Blanco.

Sampras, who narrowly escaped a humiliating defeat against French qualifier Cedric Kauffmann in the first round, lost 7-6 6-3 6-2.

The defeat may be the last shattering blow to Sampras' hopes of clinching the only Grand Slam title he has never won.

Blanco closed out the match when Sampras, who was seeded fifth, sent his last fore-hand into the net.

In the final game, Sampras wasted four break points against Blanco, who is ranked 76th in the world.

He made 21 unforced errors and served eight double faults during the match.

Sampras holds a men's record 13 Grand Slam titles, but has never been past the semi-finals at Roland Garros.

The 29-year-old lost in the first round last year.