BlackRock Masters Tennis Starts- Pete Sampras Favourite To Win

After a great run by Andy Murray last month had whole of UK hooked on to the 2008 Tennis Masters Cup, it is now the time for the legends to play their year end masters. Get set for some exciting vintage tennis in London starting today as eight of the former tennis greats take one each other in The BlackRock Masters Tennis.The eight tennis masters in the singles event would be Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Stefen Edberg, Pat Cash, Greg Rusedski, Jeremy Bates, Cedric Pioline and Guy Forget.The tournament is the year end championship of the ATP's senior tour and would be played from Dec 2 to Dec 7 at The Royal Albert Hall in London and would be telecast on ITV in Britain.The players have been divided in two groups of four each. After round robin play which will have all the players in a group facing each other once, the group winners will advance to the finals.The two groups are as follows:Group A - Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Jeremy Bates and Cedric PiolineGroup B - Stefan Edberg, Pat Cash, Greg Rusedski and Guy ForgetThe most awaited round robin match is between Sampras and John McEnroe.It will be Sampras's first visit to London after 6 years since he lost in the 2nd round of Wimbledon in 2002.Betting Choice provides the Schedule of all the matches date wise:Tuesday 2nd December 2008Forget v RusedskiCash v EdbergWednesday 3rd December 2008Bates v PiolineEdberg v RusedskiMcEnroe v SamprasThursday 4th December 2008Cash v ForgetMcEnroe v PiolineFriday 5th December 2008Edberg v ForgetCash v RusedskiSaturday 6th December 2008Pioline v SamprasBates v McEnroeSunday 7th December 2008FINALSVarious British bookmakers have come out with odds on the Winner as well as on each match.Betting Choice lists the best odds for each of the players and the bookmaker offering the odds:Peter Sampras 8/11 at SkyBetGreg Rusedski 6/1 at Paddy Power and Stan JamesStefan Edberg 7/1 at Ladbrokes, Skybet and Stan JamesCedric Pioline 14/1 at Stan JamesGuy Forget 14/1 at Stan JamesJohn McEnroe 28/1 at Stan JamesPat Cash 33/1 at Stan JamesJeremy Bates 40/1 at bet365 and Paddy PowerSampras is being touted as the outright favourite with the bookmakers as well as sports analysts. Will this turn out to be a visit to remember for Pete Sampras?We will have to wait till 7th December for the finals , but there is a great action packed week of vintage tennis in store.