Tennis: Sampras moves into quarter-finals

Pete Sampras belatedly booked his place in the quarter-finals of the Stella Artois Championships at the third time of asking today.

Sampras and third-round opponent Jan Siemerink managed just three games in two separate spells between the rain on Thursday evening before play was abandoned for the day.

The Dutchman was then caught cold this morning as he lost his serve in the first game of the day to give the Wimbledon champion the one break he needed to cruise through the set 6-3 in just 20 minutes.

Siemerink appeared to be holding his own comfortably in the second set, conceding just one point in each of his three service games before Sampras simply decided to step up a gear.

Three backhand winners gave the former world number one the vital break of serve and although Siemerink bravely saved three match points to stay in the game at 5-4, it was merely delaying the inevitable and the second seed served out for a routine 6-3 6-4 victory in just 54 minutes.

With yesterday's rain preventing the quarter-final line-up from being completed on time, Sampras will have to play again this afternoon, weather permitting.

The 29-year-old takes on compatriot Jan-Michael Gambill in the last eight after Tim Henman's quarter-final clash with Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand on Centre Court.