It was then that the Canadian-born Brit underlined the power of his serve by delivering the 143 mph serve on game point to hold for 3-0. The crowd, who had oohed and aahed at his previous big hits, gave out a roar of approval when the speed flashed up at the side of the court.Having levelled the match after 70 minutes, Rusedski began to make even better use of his return of serve and groundstrokes, provoking errors from Kafelnikov. The Russian double-faulted on game point at 1-1 and then missed a backhand volley to give his opponeent the intiative. Rusedski held for 3-1, and then broke again, crucially, aided by a net cord, the ball trickling over in his favour for deuce. There was no luck about the backhand drive and forehand volley that sealed the game. Kafelnikov, to cap a frustrating night, double-faulted on the second match point.”I’m very much looking forward to playing Pete, and I’m sure Pete’s looking forward to the match as well,” Rusedski said “He likes to give me a little bit of stick now and then I’m going to have a good match out there It’s going to be really interesting.

Kafelnikov went on to clinch the lead, 7-5, finshing with an ace.Rusedski had the fortitude to save two break points in the opening game of the second set – the second of them when the umpire overruled an ace which had been called out – and immediately broke Kafelnikov for 2-0. Instead, he had to bide his time until the wrist healed and he was able to confirm the improvement in his game by reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals and the final of the US Open.Those results brought him here to the Compaq Grand Slam Cup, where he has emulated Tim Henman, his Davis Cup team-mate, who advanced to the last four at Munich’s Olympic Hall last year.Whatever happens when he faces Sampras over the best of five sets today – the American has won their four previous matches – Rusedski can take pride in his performance yesterday in defeating Yevgeny Kafelnikov, the world No 4 from Russia, 6-7, 6-3, 6-1.Failing to secure the opening set might have proved a psychological blow for Rusedski had he allowed himself to dwell on the fact that it was the first tie-break he had lost in the last eight he has played.Having already saved two set points at 4-5 in the set, he must have fancied his chances until double-faulting to trail 2-4 in the shoot-out. Greg Rusedski has waited for this day since a wrist injury caused him to retire after winning the opening set against Pete Sampras in the final of a tournament in San Jose in February.
The Briton had hoped to complete the most encouraging week of his career, having just defeated Michael Chang and Andre Agassi back-to-back. The victory means he has earned $425,000 this week in Munich, but, as John Roberts explains, Rusedski will have to beat Pete Sampras to add to his haul. NSR Silver Bullet Salver: 1 Virtual Village Heyman (J Whitaker, GB) 48.11; 2 Alex H (G Gulliksen, Nor) 48.87; 3 Into Favour (A Davies, GB) 51.10.

McCusker Show Hunter of the Year: Red Hand (G Landau); reserve: Jamaica Bay (R Oliver). T E Evans Children’s Riding Pony of the Year: Ardenhall Royal Secret (C Dujardin); reserve: Bradmore Catkin (M Packham).. Britain’s Greg Rusedski equalled his world record serve of 143 mph last night in defeating Yevgeny Kafelnikov to reach the semi-finals of the Compaq Grand Slam Cup. Third place went to Andrew Davies on Into Favour.John Whitaker has been relying on his old campaigners – 17-year-old Virtual Village Welham as well as Grannusch – for major contests in recent years.