Points won by each set: [ 33-24, 24-34, 26-19 ]
Points won directly behind the serve:
36 % Haas – 29 of 79
38 % Sampras – 31 of 81

That event initiated the best period in Haas’ career when he was 23-years-old [16]. It seemed that the gifted German finally found a way to play his best tennis in successive tournaments; between Long Island ’01 and Australian Open ’02 he was actually the hottest player on the tour winning 29 out of 34 matches (three titles) – it meant more wins than collected the best player at the time – Lleyton Hewitt. That fantastic streak was soon reflected in the ranking, Haas became No. 2 in the world in May 2002… Sampras [10] helped in that final – at the beginning of the decider strange things happened as the American received a warning for a ball abuse serving at 0/30, then at 15/30 he committed two straight double faults. Haas said: “It’s great to win a tournament in the final against one of the best players ever. Last year I beat him in the World Team Cup, this win is much more special for me.”

Haas’ route to his 3rd title:
1 Michel Kratochvil 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3
2 Tommy Robredo 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-2
Q Jonas Bjorkman 6-1, 6-4
S Arnaud Clement 6-3, 7-6(3)
W Pete Sampras 6-3, 3-6, 6-2