ITS MORE THAN A MERE FINAL

NEW YORK. Sept 8 (AP) The US Open men's singles fl nal will deter mine the world s No 1 -ranked If I op-seeded Pete Sampras defeats Michael Chang to win his second straight title at the National Tennis Center he will retain his No. 1 ranking

By reaching the final. Chang, seeded second, has moved ahead of Austria's Thomas Muster, who was ranked No 2 in the world If he wins Sunday s title match Chang would rise to No 1 Sam pras would drop to No 2 and Muster would be No 3.

HINGIS MAKES AMOVE

By reaching the semifinals Martina Hingis of Switzerland will be No 13 in the WTA Tour rankings when the computer generated list is released Mon day It will be a career high for the 15-year-old

To gain a quarterfinal berth. Hingis upset third-seed- ‘ Aran txa Sanchez-Vicario ar No 7 Jana Novotna

THE NERVELE

NUMBER ONE

Pete Sampras has been awarded the inaugural Heineken Star Award for the outstanding singles performance at the US Open, as voted

by the media

Sampras earned the award for the grit. determination and ability to lift the level of his play in coming from behind to defeat Alex Corretja of Spain in their five set quarterfinal match

Toni Guliikson accepted the award on behalf of Sampras — a 5.000 dollars donation to the Tim and Tom Guliikson Foun datron The presentation was made by Michael Foley presi dent and chief executive officer of Heineken USA. prior to Sat urdaya semifinal matches Guliikson also accepted a crystal star trophy that will go to Sampras.

WINNERS ALL

The four men s senufinalists who played Saturday have won 1 1 Grand Slam tournament singles titles among them

Pete Sampras has won seven. Including three US Opens. Andre Agassi has won three including the 1994 US Open. Michael Chang's lone Grand Slam tournament tri umph was at the 1989 French Open.

Goran Ivanisevic of Croatia has never won a Grand Slam singles title, although he reached the final i»i< e both times at Wiml _ai 1992 and 1994

AN EASY RIDING

RECORD

This was the first time in the Open era and the first time since 1964 that three players

reached the men s singles semi Imais without having to beat a seeded player

Pete Sampras Michael Chang and Goran Ivanisevic all had their road to the semis eased by up*ets

FERNANDEZ AWARDED

For her sportsmanship manners and spirit of coopera tion. Mary Joe Fernandez be came the 11th recipient oi the Sarah Palfrey Danzing Award at the International Club black tie dinner this week