This Date in U.S. Open History: September 1

Every morning during the U.S. Open, Richard Pagliaro will take a look back at a significant match that took place on that calendar day.

September 1, 1997: Petr Korda d. Pete Sampras, 6-7 (4), 7-5, 7-6 (2), 3-6, 7-6 (3) (Fourth Round)

The tiebreaker was a heart-breaker for Sampras, who saw his 17-match U.S. Open win streak snapped. On Labor Day, Korda worked over Sampras’ backhand, cracking his left-handed forehand into the champion’s weaker one-hander on key points.

Sampras knew what he was in for before stepping on court: He required 27 aces to subdue Korda, 6-4 in the fifth set, weeks earlier at Wimbledon. Though Korda had lost five in a row to Sampras, he warmed up well for the Open, reaching the Washington, D.C. final and New Haven semifinal.

Korda, whose stringy physique and spiky hair earned him the nickname “The Human Tooth Brush”, reached a career-high rank of No. 2 in 1998 and was one of the purest ball strikers of his era when on his game. Despite falling behind a break at 1-3 in the fifth set, Korda remained committed to the cause.

Sampras, who posted a 33-15 career record in five-setters, was a strong tiebreak player who traditionally played conservatively on return in the overtimes, believing the combination of his imposing serve and willingness to put returns in play would pressure opponents. In the aftermath of his loss, Sampras conceded Korda beat him to the punch in the breaker.

''I was very tentative in the tiebreaker, and there you have it,'' said Sampras. ''I didn't put the clamps down when I had him down, and he broke me back, played some unbelievable tennis. He's a great shot-maker, and he passed off his backhand about as well as I've ever seen. I'm not going to kill myself over it. When he gets hot, there's nothing you can do.”

Strangely, Korda followed an inspired triumph with a detached effort. He showed no stomach for the battle in the quarterfinal, quitting while trailing No. 17 Jonas Bjorkman, 6-7 (3), 2-6, 0-1, citing a cold.

This Date in U.S. Open History

August 27:The defending champion survives his opener (1985)
August 28:Jimmy Connors' legendary run begins (1991)
August 29: Pierce rises from the dead (2003)
August 30:Santoro, Blake put on a show (2007)
August 31: Agassi's final, epic victory (2006)
September 1:Sampras' win streak snapped (1997)
September 2:Doubles players announce lawsuit vs. ATP (2005)
September 3:Safin survives in breakthrough tournament (2000)
September 4:A bizarre Williams vs. Williams match (2005)
September 5:Unbreakable: Pete vs. Andre (2001)
September 6:A Seles-Capriati classic (1991)
September 7: The late show with Agassi and Blake (2005)
September 8:Venus' late comeback vs. Hingis (2000)
September 9:Sharapova feels pretty powerful (2006)