41.   His win spoiled local hopes for a third consecutive final between Sampras and fellow American Andre Agassi.

42.   Inter coach Hector Cuper moved to Inter last summer having, so he thought, taken Valencia as far as he could with two consecutive Champions League finals.

43.   Ali Bujsaim of the United Arab Emirates will be taking part in his third consecutive World Cup finals.

44.   But Hingis, aiming for her sixth consecutive Australian Open final, is quick to acknowledge that Williams is the real threat.

45.   The Paraguayans have qualified for consecutive World Cup finals for the first time, largely down to former coach Sergio Markarian.

46.   South Korea will be playing in its fifth consecutive finals and sixth in all but have yet to win a single match.