Hingis too hot for young Australian

Rafter loses

SYDNEY: Dual US Open champion Patrick Rafter crashed out of the Sydney International tournament today, losing to unheralded teenaged compatriot Lleyton Hewitt in the first round.

Rafter, a second round loser to Czech Slava Dosedel at the Adelaide men’s hardcourt event last week, lost 7-6 (7-1) 6-1 in 81 minutes.

Korda ready

MELBOURNE: Australian Open champion Petr Korda said he would attend a meeting of his peers this weekend that is due to discuss his lenient treatment over a positive steroid test.

But the wiry Czech veteran vowed to defend his title at the year’s first Grand Slam tournament whatever was said.

“I will stand in front ofthe players, I do not have any problem to stand in front of anybody,” Korda told reporters at a Melbourne warm-up event.“I didn’t do anything, so why I should hide myself?”

Rubin cruises

HOBART: American fifth seed Chanda Rubin crushed compatriot Samantha Reeves, a qualifier, 6-1, 6-1 in the second round of the Tasmanian International today.

But third-seeded Virginia Ruano-Pascual of Spain had to work much harder to overcome another qualifier, Canada’s Maureen Drake.

After sharing two tight sets, Ruano-Pascual asserted her authority in the decider to win 7-5, 4-6, 6-2.

Romanian Ruxandra Dragomir became the third seed to fall by the wayside when she was comprehensively outplayed by Italy’s Rita Grande.

Dragomir, seeded seven, had no answer to Grande’s big forehand and crisp volleying and the Italian won 6-1, 6-3.