Sampras set for Breakers

The Newport Beach Breakers announced their 2006 schedule Tuesday and the slate includes Pete Sampras’ first professional match since 2002.

Sampras, who was the first pick in the 2006 World Team Tennis draft, will play in the Breakers’ second home match of the season July 10 against the St. Louis Aces at the Palisades Tennis Club.

The match will be Sampras’ only scheduled appearance in Newport Beach, though he is scheduled to play six road matches for the Breakers.

The other scheduled marquee player appearance in Newport Beach this season will be July 25, when John McEnroe and the New York Sportimes play the Breakers.

Newport Beach will open the season on the road at the Springfield Lasers on July 6. The Breakers return home for the home opener July 8 against the Kansas City Explorers. Kansas City’s roster includes 1999 Wimbeldon doubles champion Corina Morariu.

Following that is Sampras’ appearance against the St. Louis Aces on July 10. The Aces are coached by former UC Irvine men’s tennis coach Greg Patton.

2004 Olympic silver medalist Mardy Fish and the Houston Wranglers will play the Breakers on July 11 at Palisades.

The Breakers and the Sacramento Capitals will have a home-and-home series, starting July 12 in Sacramento and concluding in Newport Beach the next night. The Capitals feature 2003 Wimbledon mixed doubles champion Elena Likhovtseva.

The New York Buzz come to town July 15, followed by the Springfield Lasers on July 16. The Lasers are coached by former UC Irvine All-American Trevor Kronemann.

After the Springfield match, the Breakers go on the road for five matches before returning home for the regular season finale against the defending league champion Sportimes.

New York defeated Newport Beach in the King Cup finals last year.

The Breakers return Ramon Delgado and Anastassia Rodionova from last season’s team that went 9-5. Joining them are Rick Leach ? the son of Breakers Coach Dick Leach ? and Tina Krizan.

Palisades Tennis Club will also host the World Team Tennis Championships on July 28-30.dpt-breakers.BGraphicInfoLI1PSEL820060412LI1PSEL8(LA)