Tennis: Sampras beats Rafter to set up Agassi clash

Pete Sampras beat Pat Rafter to set up a quarter-final clash with Andre Agassi in the US Open at Flushing Meadows.

Sampras beat the number six seed 6-3 6-2 6-7 6-4 in a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Rafter had a break point in the first set but Sampras served his way out of trouble to set the tone for an intriguing contest.

Rafter saved six set points before Sampras clinched the first set and then broke the Australian early in the second with a stunning backhand winner.

Sampras, a four-time winner of the US Open, played solid tennis to wrap up the set.

But the number six seed battled back in the third, which he took in a tense tie-break.

Rafter saved two match points in the fourth set before two smashes sealed Sampras' victory.

Sampras later admitted he would need to play even better to overcome Agassi in the battle of the thirty-somethings.

"Andre's the best player I've ever played over the years," said Sampras.

"I'm going to have to play really big. He's playing unbelievable tennis at the moment.

"Pat wasn't serving too well in the first two sets today. He picked it up in the third, though, and played a great tie-break. It was a tough match."