By Times Staff and Wire Reports
Published October 2, 2003
MOSCOW - Top-seeded Jennifer Capriati wasted match point and was upset by Elena Bovina 6-4, 4-6, 6-7 (3-7) Wednesday in the second round of the Kremlin Cup.
"She is a tough player to play because you don't really know what she is going to do," said Saddlebrook's Capriati. "She hits some unbelievable shots."
It was Capriati's first match since she lost a three-hour thriller in the U.S. Open semifinals against eventual champion Justine Henin-Hardenne.
This is the third straight year that the Kremlin Cup's top-seeded player was eliminated in the second round after Martina Hingis in 2001 and Venus Williams in 2002.
GIBSON VIEWING: Several hundred mourners filed past the coffin of Althea Gibson at the Newark (N.J.) Museum, paying respects to the woman who broke color barriers in tennis and golf. Gibson, the first black player to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, died of respiratory failure Sunday. She was 76.
OLYMPICS: Greeks deny killing dogs
Greek government officials and Olympic organizers denied claims by an animal rights group that more than 3,000 stray dogs were killed during last month's vacation holidays. Athens and surrounding suburbs are accused of taking advantage of the traditional vacation weeks, when many residents leave the city, to capture and destroy the wild dogs. Olympic organizers and others often mentioned the strays as a problem that needs to be solved before the games in August.
ULLRICH CLEARED: Olympic gold medalist and Tour de France runner-up Jan Ullrich is eligible for the Athens Games. He can be nominated by Germany after the country's olympic committee decided its rules allowed exceptions for athletes who tested positive for drugs not deemed performance-enhancing. Ullrich served a six-month ban for using amphetamines while he was in rehab for a knee operation.
BASKETBALL: Yao Ming had 30 points and 15 rebounds as host China secured a berth in the 2004 Games with a 106-96 victory over South Korea in the final of the Asian Championships. Yao, the No.1 pick in last year's NBA draft by Houston, was named the tournament MVP.
SOCCER: MetroStars in Cup final
Amado Guevara scored twice and John Wolyniec snapped a tie with two minutes left to give the MetroStars a 3-2 victory over visiting DC United in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup. They face Chicago on Oct.15 in East Rutherford. The MetroStars played without standout forward Clint Mathis, who was serving a one-game suspension after a red card.
ET CETERA
BIRTH: It's a girl for Olympic champion figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, 32, and her husband, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Bret Hedican. Their first child, Keara Kiyomi, was born at a Raleigh, N.C., hospital.
COLLEGES: The Florida State women topped host USF 3-0, extending their win streak to five straight, which ties a 2000 school record. FSU is 7-0-1 against the Bulls. ... Big 12 officials recommended an 11-team, 10-game men's basketball tournament in March to adjust for the absence of Baylor. School presidents must approve it. Baylor will not play March11-14 at Dallas because of self-imposed penalties.
HORSES: Breeders' Cup Classic winner Volponi is the one to beat in the $400,000 Meadowlands Breeders' Cup on Friday night. Volponi, who has not won since scoring an upset in the $4-million Classic last year, drew the No.2 post and was the 8-5 morning-line favorite.
MEMORIAL: A memorial service will be held Saturday for Hall of Fame sportswriter Allen Lewis, who died last month. Lewis, who had a long career in Philadelphia, was the official scorer for the Rays in their inaugural season. The service will be 11 a.m. to 1 at the Hubbell Funeral Home, 499 Indian Rocks Road, Belleair Bluffs.
