History Repeats: What Sampras-Rafter Can Teach Us About Nadal-
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Clive Brunskill/Getty Images  In 1997 Patrick Rafter won his
first major at the US Open, thanks to his agile movement, big-
kicking serve, and unparalleled net coverage. Though this put
him exactly nine majors behind Pete Sampras at that point in
their careers, it was easy to begin wondering how the two would
match up in future encounters.  Still, the two weren’t truly
rivals yet; Sampras was 5-1 against the Australian at that point
and would add three more lopsided victories over Rafter to his
tally that fall. Plus, with the bulk of his accomplishments and
the fact that he had a commanding lead in the race for No. 1,
few could seriously claim that the two were players of equal
stature.  To become a rival to Sampras, Rafter would have to
beat the American, and take something he wanted.  That would
come in 1998, when the Australian rallied from a set down to top
Sampras at the Cincinnati Mas