1.   Organizers of the clay court event said Wednesday that Sampras will play in the rich tournament that begins Monday.

2.   After his win, Muster, ranked second, blasted top American players for not competing at European clay court events.

3.   Another clay court event, another disappointing performance.

4.   Becker has never won either of the two clay court events.

5.   Before Rome, Pierce played four tournaments this year, with her best result in the Charleston clay event where she reached the third round and lost to Schnyder.

6.   But for both Rafter and Sampras the clay court event serves as a warmup for the French Open, beginning Monday.

7.   He beat Corretja in the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo tournament, before winning the major clay court event.

8.   He pulled out of the Barcelona, Spain, clay event in mid-April with an aching back and has not played since.

9.   In the most important clay court event, the French Open, Sampras has gone as far as the semifinals only once in nine appearances.

10.   It was his fourth straight first-round exit at this clay court event.