By Compiled from Times wires
Published May 18, 2003
ROME - Serena Williams lost for the second time in little more than a month, the closest she has come to a "Serena Slump" in an otherwise dominant season.
With more than a week before she defends her title at the French Open, the world No. 1 lost 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 to Amelie Mauresmo in an Italian Open semifinal Saturday. She lost to Justine Henin-Hardenne in the Family Circle Cup final April 13.
Williams, 26-2 this year, failed to close out the match in the second set after leading 5-4 and serving for the victory.
"There was nothing in particular she did," Williams said of Mauresmo. "When I lose a match, it's usually because of how I played. In the end, it's better to lose in Rome than in Paris."
Mauresmo faces Kim Clijsters, who defeated No. 13 Ai Sugiyama 6-3, 6-2.
HAMBURG MASTERS: Countrymen Agustin Calleri and Guillermo Coria meet in today's final in Germany. Calleri beat David Nalbandian 6-4, 6-1 and Coria defeated Gaston Gaudio 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-0. It was the first time four Argentinians reached the semifinals at an ATP tournament.
COLLEGES: Big East leaders meet
Leaders in the Big East opened their annual meetings in Ponte Vedra Beach and began the push to keep Miami in the league. ACC presidents voted Friday to begin discussions with Big East members Miami, Boston College and Syracuse about joining their nine-team league. UConn athletic director Lew Perkins and Virginia Tech AD Jim Weaver were among those who invoked the "institutional integrity" theme - hoping if money and conciliation won't work to keep teams in, a guilt trip will. Miami AD Paul Dee insisted leaders at his school have not decided anything and no timetables for a decision have been set.
GOLF: The Florida men advanced to the NCAA Championships, finishing third in the East Region at Auburn, Ala. The Gators shot 5-under 859, 20 behind winner Clemson.
TRACK AND FIELD: South Florida's 4x400-meter relay team helped the women win their first Conference USA championship in Charlotte, N.C. Amber Delpino, Bente General, Alexis McGaffagan of Largo and Karoline Hagen won in 3 minutes, 39.61 seconds. Delpino set a track record in the 400 hurdles (58.35). Chandra Brewer set a track record in the shot put (52-9). Jimmy Baxter's two-year reign as high jump champion ended. He missed 7 feet, 3 inches three times. Cedric Norman of Southern Miss cleared 7 feet, 5 inches to win.
SOCCER: U.S. blasts England 6-0
Cindy Parlow, who had not scored this season, switched from forward to midfielder and led the U.S. women's team 6-0 over England in an exhibition match in Birmingham, Ala. She had four goals for the U.S. team, which is 18-0-2 in its past 20 home games.
MLS: Clint Mathis and Mike Magee scored, leading New York/New Jersey 2-0 over host Colorado. Taylor Twellman had his fifth goal as host New England beat Chicago 3-0.
WUSA: Danielle Fotopoulos had two goals, leading Carolina 5-2 over host Washington. Marinette Pichon scored twice as Philadelphia won for the first time this season, beating host New York 2-1. Conny Pohlers' first career goal gave host Atlanta a 1-0 win over San Jose.
FA CUP: Arsenal became the first team in 21 years to win the Football Association Cup in consecutive years, beating Southampton 1-0 in Cardiff, Wales.
ET CETERA
OLYMPICS: The IOC will help Iraqi athletes prepare for the 2004 Olympics. The executive board acted on recommendations of the ethics commission, which confirmed Iraq's former Olympic committee tortured and jailed athletes. ... The IOC will not formally investigate the '88 drug tests of Carl Lewis and other Americans, but president Jacques Rogge will ask USOC president Bill Martin for "general information" on the committee's anti-doping practices.
POWERBOATS: St. Petersburg's Gerry Chastelet won the Outlaw Series Performance I class in the Marathon Offshore Grand Prix.
