Sampras Wins Over Federer - Pete Sampras handed world No. 1 Roger Federer a 7-6, 6-4 loss in their third and last exhibition match, according to ESPN.com. Sampras, ESPN says, didn't face a break point throughout the match.

Due to the results of these exhibitions, I believe Sampras is tennis' best ever. I did not see the exhibitions, but ESPN's stories indicate that Sampras is still able to beat the best players in the world. At 36 years old Sampras shouldn't even be able to stay on serve with a guy playing at Federer's level, yet he did.

Every match was close. In the first exhibition, Sampras had the world No. 1 down 4-2 in the first set before allowing an opening to lose the set and eventually the match. Sure, Sampras went 1-2 over the course of the three matches, but it seemed Sampras showed substantial improvement after each of the first two losses. He faced off against Federer without the benefit of being tournament tested. A best-case scenario for Sampras would be for him to have had several tournaments under his belt where he had beaten several top-ten players before having to face off against the indomitable Federer who, until now it seems, was in a class of his own.

You don't just go out and beat a Roger Federer. You need something that builds you up to such a feat, something like rigorous competition in tournaments. Sampras had the next best thing, throwing himself to the wolves, or wolf rather, Roger Federer himself. So, having seen Federer twice, Sampras finally solved the puzzle. He found a way, at 36 years old mind you, he finally found a way to beat Roger Federer, a man on top of his game and in the prime of his life at 26 years of age. And it took Sampras only three matches to do it. That is phenomenal. He wasn't supposed to be competitive like this. I'm sure the players are as surprised as I am.

Sampras could still have success on the mens' tour. Assuming the grind didn't get to him first, he could probably win another Grand Slam event. At least, Sampras has proven, that on any given day he can still be the best player in the world.