Sampras sees off gutsy Lee

Brave Briton Martin Lee let a golden chance slip out of his hands against a below-par Pete Sampras this afternoon.

The 24-year-old Londoner, with just one win on tour all year, wasted an incredible 18 break points against the seven-time champion before slipping to a 6-3, 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 straight sets defeat.

Although Sampras did not look too bothered by the rib injury which saw him appeal for a 24-hour delay to the opening round encounter, the American never looked remotely on top form.

Sampras will know drastic improvement is required if he is to pose a serious threat to the title he once made his own, but Lee should have made life far harder.

Lee had three break points in each of Sampras' opening two service games, held two set points to level the match in the second, and then wasted four in the third as he valiantly tried to break at 3-3.

All went begging, with Lee cracking his opponent's usually impregnable serve just once - in the third - only to immediately lose his own serve.