clash of times

went frolicking in kl for what was initially supposed to be a 2 days trip turned into a 3 days one instead.

first up in the agenda was clash of times: pete sampras vs roger federer's exhibition match at stadium malawati, shah alam on 22 nov, 8p.m.

the results of this match was already anticipated way ahead as they had an earlier match in korea on tuesday and federer won in straight sets.

but just being there in the same hall as these two tennis greats was just awesome. i went there for sampras but i think federer has captivated my interest now. hehe.

it was 99% full except for that 1% in the most expensive section. i was sitting way up there in the dark side of the hall but it was ok...the stadium was not that big anyway. 12,000 capacity.

federer's fans won over sampras'. many foreigners were in the crowd and his fans were all in red shirt with a white cross. bells were tolling as well. swiss.
i am somewhere in the darkest level...the third tier...first row. phew.
welcome dance. before that jacqueline victor was performing. she is our first malaysian idol.
federer and sampras got ready to start the game. before that each of them hit 10 balls each into the audience. no luck.
federer serving. his serve averaged about 170kmh only.
follow through to a serve. he still got it man! pistol pete.
that was how fast his first serves were. all around 210 and the fastest was 217.
resting. he is really lean and slim. i can't see any muscles at all! ok... i know i was far...but he is really not bulky. he is good. and the rolex on his wrist...never failed to shine each time light reflected on it.
the prize presentation ceremony by the agong. the deputy prime minister and his wife were there. so was the sultan of selangor and selangor's menteri besar.

the match lasted about 90 minutes and it was way better than nadal vs gasquet. pete tried to be funny at times and federer was dead serious.

oh, the next time anyone want to go for any event, make sure you eat before you go. or else you will be paying through your nose for food inside the stadium. rm10 for a hot dog in bun.

*pete sampras won the last exhibition match in macau on saturday (yeah!).