Tennis: Sampras opts out of Davis Cup to rest

Newly crowned US Open tennis champion Pete Sampras will not be in the US squad tackling France at Roland Garros in next week's Davis Cup semifinal.

Skipper Patrick McEnroe's squad for the September 20-22 tie, named yesterday, comprises Andy Roddick, James Blake, Todd Martin and Mardy Fish.

Sampras and fellow Open finalist Andre Agassi were never expected to feature. McEnroe said Sampras was exhausted and needed to decide if he wanted to play again this season.

In the other semi-final, Russia meet Argentina in Moscow.