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Sampras agrees to play Davis Cup

In a change of heart, Pete Sampras will play for the US Davis Cup team after all.

Sampras will join Jim Courier and Todd Martin on the team scheduled to face Australia in the quarter-finals from July 16-18, at the Longwood Cricket Club, team captain Tom Gullikson said yesterday.

During a telephone conference, Sampras said he approached Courier and Martin about joining the team after Courier's dramatic upset victory against Britain in April.

"The reason I am playing ... is seeing what Todd and Jim did in England. It was great to watch,'' Sampras said.

Sampras, who helped the US team win the Davis Cup in 1992 and 1995, and last played in the tournament in 1997, said he will play doubles only because Courier and Martin have earned the singles slots.

"It looks like they did all the hard work and I'm here for the glory,'' Sampras said. "I'm just glad to be a part of the team.''

But when pressed, Sampras and other team members agreed that the pairings could change, especially if the US team wins in July.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it,'' Gullikson said.

It hasn't been decided with whom Sampras, an 11-time Grand Slam tournament winner, might play, but a possible partner is Martin, with whom Sampras has played before, team members said.

Earlier this year, Sampras refused to play Davis Cup, a decision that was derided by many, including Courier.

"Some players feel it's a sacrifice and don't see the big picture and don't see that it's much more important than going playing in Hong Kong,'' Courier said at the time. "Some of the most memorable moments you'll ever have in your career are playing Davis Cup, and it's much more important for me to play, apparently, than it is for them.''

In April, Courier won both of his singles matches, including a thrilling five-setter over Greg Rusedski in the decisive fifth match to put the United States in the quarter-finals.

"This is as good as it gets,'' Courier said at the time.

Sampras, who had complained that the Davis Cup had lost its public appeal in the United States, apparently agreed.

One more player will be selected for the US team before a July 6 deadline.

"That person will be a very good doubles player, like Alex O'Brien, Justin Gimelstob or Richey Reneberg," Gullikson said.

The US - Australia winner will play the winner of the quarter-final match between Russia and Slovakia on September 24-26.

AP