INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - Andre Agassi came up with big points when he needed to, beating Guillermo Coria 6-4, 7-5 Thursday night to move into the Pacific Life Open semifinals.
Agassi, ranked fifth, plays No. 1 Roger Federer on Saturday. Federer defeated Juan Ignacio Chela 6-2, 6-1 to run his 2004 record to 20-1. He beat Agassi 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 in their last meeting, the Tennis Masters Cup final in November.
In women's competition, top-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne avenged her only loss of the year in another tough match against teenager Svetlana Kuznetsova.
When Henin-Hardenne finally won 6-4, 7-5, she clinched both fists and pumped her arms back a bit as if to say, "Yeah!" It was the fourth meeting between the two this year. Kuznetsova upset Henin-Hardenne in the semifinals at Qatar in three sets earlier this month.
The victory sent Henin-Hardenne, a three-time winner with a 20-1 record this year, into today's semifinals against Anastasia Myskina, who beat Conchita Martinez 7-6 (7-2), 2-6, 6-3.
OLYMPICS: Kwan: sportswoman of year
Michelle Kwan was voted 2003 USOC sportswoman of the year after winning her fifth world figure skating championship and seventh national crown last year. It was her first such honor after winning 14 monthly honors. Kwan goes for another World Figure Skating Championships gold medal next week.
ALL ABOARD: A record 202 nations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, will send teams to Athens in August. The IOC said it had received positive responses from every recognized national Olympic committee that was invited.
SOCCER: U.S. loses but gains final
The defending champion United States lost to Sweden 3-1 but plays Norway in Saturday's final of the women's Algarve Cup in Lagos, Portugal. France beat winless Denmark 1-0 in the other Group A match. That left the United States, France and Sweden with 2-1 records and six points, but the Americans were the only team with a positive goal difference.
SECURITY CONCERNS: Organizers of the Athens Olympics and European Championships, which may attract as many as 1-million visitors to Greece and Portugal this year, are intensifying security preparations after terrorist attacks in Madrid killed 202 people. Greece said it will ask NATO to help. Paul Gomes, a spokesman for the Portuguese Interior Ministry, said simply, "We're worried."
MANCHESTER UNITED: Star defender Rio Ferdinand lost his appeal of an eight-month ban for missing a drug test and will miss the European Championship in June. He said he forgot about the appointment. He returned a day later and tested negative.
BOXING: Title bouts set in Tampa
World Boxing Organization junior middleweight champion Daniel Santos and North American Boxing Federation heavyweight champion Elieser Castillo headline a nine-bout card that will feature five championship fights and an International Boxing Federation title eliminator April 17 at the Florida State Fairgrounds Entertainment Hall. Santos 27-2-1, 20 KOs defends his title against Michael Lerma (29-8-1, 20 KOs) in a 12-rounder. Castillo (26-3-2, 14 KOs) defends against Davarryl Williamson (19-2, 17 KOs). Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at (813) 287-8844, (727) 898-2100, ticketmaster.com or any outlet. For more information, visit www.warriorsboxing.com
SKIING: Teammates vie in Alaska
Daron Rahlves is plenty familiar with the skier who finished just ahead of him in the World Cup standings. After all, they're teammates. Bode Miller finished fourth overall and Rahlves was 130 points back in fifth. "I'm stoked for him, but I want the two of us to be fighting it out for the overall title next year," Rahlves said. Beginning today, they face off again in the U.S. Alpine Championships at Girdwood, Alaska. Competition starts with the downhill, one of Rahlves' specialties.
ET CETERA
HORSES: Apprentice Manny Cosme, who ranks 10th in wins with 24 from 224 mounts (11 percent), was named Tampa Bay Downs jockey of the month. ... Best Mate became the first horse since Arkle in 1966 to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the third year in a row, beating Sir Rembrant by a half-length at Cheltenham, England.
HOCKEY: North Dakota coach Dean Blais was named coach of the U.S. team for the World Junior championship this winter.
BOWLING: Mike DeVaney knocked down 1,316 pins in the final six games of qualifying for a 6,845 total and a 267-pin lead over Brian Voss in the Professional Bowlers Association's World Championship at Taylor, Mich.
OBITUARY: Jeff Denberg, longtime Atlanta Hawks beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, died Thursday of complications from brain cancer. He was 62.
