Korda victorious

Kournikova advances

SYDNEY: Rising star Anna Kournikova of Russia tripped into a meeting with second seed Lindsay Davenport in the Sydney International tournament today when Yayuk Basuki retired after losing a set to the stunning Russian.Troubled by a recurring lower back strain, Indonesia8217;s Basuki chose to withdraw instead of risking further aggravating the injury ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne this month.

The 16-year-old Kournikova blamed a shaky start today on the lack of match play over the holidays. Kournikova, who is tipped to snap at World No. one Martina Hingis8217; heels in the next few years, said that under the WTA rules which restrict her to 10 tournaments a year, it was hard to stay motivated.

The glamorous player has been in the spotlight since she arrived in Sydney. Her schedule included a meeting with Britain8217;s Spice Girls who are here to promote their movie. Kournikova airily dismissed suggestions that the relentless media attention might be a distraction.

Also taken in her stride was the prospect of coming up against American world number three Davenport for the first time after such a short workout.