Sampras Upset in Semifinals : Volvo tennis: Krajicek uses strong serve to beat the world’s top-ranked player for first time.

Richard Krajicek upset Pete Sampras, the world’s top-ranked player, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), in a battle of big servers Saturday to advance to the final of the Volvo Los Angeles tournament at UCLA.

Krajicek, ranked No. 10 in the world, needed nearly two hours to complete his first career victory over Sampras. Krajicek lost in straight sets to Sampras in March in their only other meeting.

Krajicek will play the winner of Saturday night’s semifinal between third-seeded Michael Chang and Chuck Adams in a bid to become the first player to defend his Volvo title since Jimmy Connors in 1973-74.

The only break of the first set went to Krajicek, who won the seventh game at deuce when Sampras’ forehand landed wide. Krajicek, from the Netherlands, lost four points on his serve in the set.

At 2-2 in the third set, Krajicek’s left leg began bothering him and he called for ATP trainer Bill Norris. After a massage, Krajicek regained his form.