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Journalism of Courage
MONTREAL, Aug 18: Russian Anna Kournikova advanced to the second round of the $ 926,250 Canadian Open yesterday with a 6-4 6-2 win over France’s Alexandra Fusai.
The Canadian Open’s top eight seeds have first-round byes, and the highest seeded player in action yesterday, 10th-seeded Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, was upset 6-4 6-3 by qualifier Florencia Labat of Argentina.Wimbledon runner-up, 11th-seeded Nathalie Tauziat of France, overcame a slow start to beat Sandra Cacic of the US 4-6 6-4 6-2 and 12th-seeded Dominique Van Roost of Belgium had few problems outhitting Canadian Jana Nejedly 6-4 6-2.
Japan’s Ai Sugiyama, seeded 16th, saved two sets points in the second set on her way to a 7-6 (7-2), 7-5 victory over French qualifier Nathalie Dechy.Kournikova’s last match was an exciting 6-7 6-3 6-4 victory over Steffi Graf in the quarter-finals in Eastbourne.
Philippoussis advances
INDIANAPOLIS: Mark Philippoussis fired eight aces on his way to a 6-3 6-2 victory last night against SouthAfrican Grant Stafford to reach the second round of the RCA Championships.
Philippoussis served aces for two match points, both saved by Stafford. The Australian earned another match-wining chance and took full advantage as he wrapped up the contest in an hour.
The 11th-seed from Melbourne must wait for a second-round opponent from Adrian Voinea or Young American hope Jan-Michael Gambill.
Number nine seed Cedric Pioline moved ahead, defeating Czech Martin Damm 7-6 (7-2) 6-2. Felix Mantilla, seeded tenth, ended the giant-killing run of American Vince Spadea 7-5 7-6 (7-3).
