Glamour girls bite the dust

The big upset of the women8217;s draw came from Japan8217;s Ai Sugiyama, who beat former champion Mary Pierce 7-5 6-4 with a superb counter-punching display.8220;It8217;s great. This is the first time I8217;ve reached the quarter-finals,8221; said Sugiyama, after the best Japanese showing at a Grand Slam since Kimiko Date made the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 1996.

Former teen queen Jennifer Capriati reached her first Australian Open quarter-final in seven years by beating Switzerland8217;s Patty Schnyder, while Anna Kournikova fell victim to her fourth-round jinx, losing 6-4 6-3 to second seed LindsayDavenport.

Capraiti now 23, confirmed her return to the top flight with a 6-3 4-6 6-1 win over the talented Schnyder. The last time Capriati made the quarter-finals in Melbourne was in 1993. She was just 16, with a shiny new olympic gold medal and a virtually unlimited potential.

Joining her will be another losing quarter-finalist from the 1993 Open. France8217;s Julie Halard-Decugis was leading Jana Kandarr 6-1 3-0 when the German retired hurt.

The mercurial Halard will next meet world number two Davenport, who was typically efficient as she downed Kournikova 6-4 6-3.

Hicham Arazi took the Moroccan flag on a victory tour of Melbourne Park after beating Frenchman Nicolas Escude. He was joined by compatriot Younes El Aynaoui, who won his delayed third-round match against Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero. Arazi is the only male player yet to drop a set in the tournament.

Tennessee journeyman Chris Woodruff ousted Britain8217;s Tim Henman, beating the 11th seed 7-5 1-6 6-4 3-6 7-5 in an error-strewn marathon on awindy outside showcourt. Woodruff8217;s victory takes him to his first quarter-final in 12 Grand Slam outings. His next opponent, Sampras, has already won 12 Grand Slam singles titles and is hoping to leave Melbourne with a record 13th.
Reuters

AP adds: Agassi8217;s cunning and consistency overwhelmed Philippoussis8217; brute power so thoroughly that the frustrated Australian smashed his racket into the shape of a gnarled Zucchini. 8220;I had to let some frustration out or else I8217;d kill someone. Better to do it with the racket,8221; Philippoussis said. 8220;I was just thinking I8217;m glad I8217;m not the racket,8221; said Agassi.

Agassi served just eight aces in the match, but committed only 25 unforced errors to Philippoussis8217; 55. Next up for Agassi is Morocco8217;s Hiram Arazi, a 6-4 6-37-6 7 victor over Frenchman Nicolas Escude.

Results

Men8217;s singles 4th round: 1-Andre Agassi US bt 16-Mark Philippoussis Aus 6-4 7-6 7/4 5-7 6-3; 3-Pete Sampras US bt Slava Dosedel Cze 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-1;Chris Woodruff US bt 11-Tim Henman GBR 7-5 1-6 6-4 3-6 7-5; Hiram Arazi Mor bt Nicolas Escude Fra 6-4 6-3 7-6 7-5. 3rd round: Younes El Aynaoui Mor bt Juan Carlos Ferrero Spa 7-6 4-6 4-6 7-6 6-4.
Doubles 3rd round: 8-Wayne Black Zim/ Andrew Kratzmann Aus bt Lleyton Hewitt/ Sandon Stolle Aus 6-4 6-4; 11-Jiri Novak/ David Rikl Cze bt Simon Aspelin/ Johan Landsberg Swe 4-6 6-2 8-6; Joshua Eagle/ Andrew Florent Aus bt 14-Martin Damm Cze/ Max Mirnyi Blr 2-6 7-6 7/5 6-2
Women8217;s singles 4th round: 2-Lindsay Davenport US bt 11-Anna Kournikova Rus 6-4 6-3; Ai Sugiyama Jpn bt 4-Mary Peirce Fra 7-5 6-4; 9-Julie Halard-Decugis Fra bt Jana Kandarr Ger 6-1 3-0 retired hurt; Jennifer Capriati US bt Patty Schnyder Swi 6-3 4-6 6-1
Doubles 3rd round: Erika de Lone US/ Nicole Pratt Aus bt Annabel Ellwood Aus/ Rika Hiraki Jpn 6-3 2-6 6-3. 2nd round: Debbie Graham US/ Nana Miyagi Jpn bt Irina Spirlea Rom/ Caroline VisNed 7-6 10/8 6-3; Els Callens/ Dominique van Roost Bel bt Alexandra Fusai/ Nathalie Tauziat Fra 6-3 6-3; Jennifer Capriati US/ Jelena Dokic Aus bt Karina Habsudova Svk/ Anne-Gaelle Sidot Fra 7-6 7/4 6-4.