London  - Pete Sampras didn't mange to reach the weekend final of the BlackRock Masters. But the American's first return to London in six years still provoked a wave of pleasant nostalgia for the seven-time Wimbledon winner.

Sampras fell 7-6 (10-7), 7-6 (10-5) at the penultimate hurdle at the elite senior event at the Royal Albert Hall, going down to Cedric Pioline.

But even in defeat, the 37-year-old from Los Angeles was wondering why he stayed away so long from the city where he carved his tennis reputation.

"This place brings back memories," he said of the capital, rainy for much of the winter week. "Just being here and seeing the British people... it was good to be back."

The American said that every trip through the city reminds him of his past glories. "When you drive around the streets here, I think about my titles. I think about my wins."

Painful past history may have kept Sampras away from the UK until now - his last Wimbledon appearance was a second-round loss to Swiss journeyman George Bastl just two months before retiring with a concluding US Open title, his 14th major and the all-time record.

Pioline had never previously beaten Sampras in nine attempts, but he produced some explosive tennis to topple the American

"This is a great feeling," said the Frenchman. "I tried to hold my serve and today I was reading his serve pretty good as well.

"It was a close match in the end and it's so great to finally shake Pete's hand as a winner."

Sampras called the match "a dog fight."

"I was really impressed with Cedric and he was returning better today than he used to way back when. I had my chance there in the first but I took my foot off the pedal serving for the set and he produced some great shots.

"It was competitive and I wanted to win so I'm disappointed I didn't make the final, but at least the crowd enjoyed it."

Pioline was facing Briton Greg Rusedski in the final. (dpa)