Rusty Serena wins first match after monthlong hiatus
By Wire services
Published May 12, 2004
ROME - Serena Williams missed shots. She let a lead slip away. She had trouble taking control.
After nearly a month off with a knee injury, Williams was rusty Tuesday. The important part, as she pointed out, is that she won.
Wearing her self-described "Wonderwoman" outfit, Williams beat Maria Sanchez Lorenzo 7-5, 6-3 to reach the Italian Open's third round.
Williams had not played since pulling out of a tournament in Charleston, S.C., last month, when her left knee flared up. She had surgery on it in August and returned in March with a win in her first tournament back.
HAMBURG MASTERS: Top-ranked Roger Federer overcame the cold to beat Gaston Gaudio 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 in Germany. French Open runnerup Martin Verkerk, the 12th seed, was among the five seeded players who lost. Also bowing out were No.4 Rainer Schuettler, No.6 David Nalbandian, No.9 Nicolas Massu and No.14 Sjeng Schalken, who quit while trailing Oscar Hernandez 5-1 because of a left hamstring injury.
DAVIS CUP: Atlanta, Charleston, S.C., and Fort Worth, Texas, are the leading candidates to play host to the U.S. team's semifinal against Belarus. Other finalists are Tunica, Miss., Carson, Calif., and Houston.
OLYMPICS: Athens stadium gets roof
Progress on the main stadium roof gave Athens organizers the push they needed in their race to complete preparations for the Summer Games, said Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, the chief organizer. Officials said the 231-foot-high half-dome could reach its anchor spot this week.
PETITION: Greek javelin thrower Sofia Sakorafa said she has petitioned the IOC for a waiver that would allow her to compete for Palestine. Sakorafa, 47, said she has become a Palestinian citizen and hopes to compete during the Aug.13-29 Games.
AUTOS: Giaffone unhurt in crash
Felipe Giaffone crashed in practice for the Indianapolis 500, but was not injured. Giaffone lost control of his car coming out of the third turn, hit the outside wall in the short chute and skidded against the wall in turn four before stopping in the front straightaway.
ET CETERA
BOXING: Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe dropped a $55-million lawsuit against former manager Rock Newman and apologized for claiming Newman stole money from him.
CYCLING: Defending champion Gilberto Simoni claimed the overall lead by winning the third stage of the Giro d'Italia. He completed the 118.4-mile leg in 5 hours, 46 minutes, 9 seconds.
HORSES: Jockey Rick Wilson is showing signs of recovering from head injuries he sustained when he fell off his horse during a race Saturday at Pimlico. Wilson remains hospitalized, but the swelling on his face has subsided and he spoke briefly to his family Monday, according to his agent, John Salzman Jr.
SKIING: World Cup slalom champion Rainer Schoenfelder was warned by the Austrian Ski Federation for failing a drug test during the season. He tested positive for the banned stimulant Etilephrine on March 27 at the Austrian slalom championships.
