
NEW HAVEN, Aug 24: Karol Kucera earned his first title on United States soil, beating Goran Ivanisevic 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in the final of the Pilot Pen international.
The match yesterday was a study in contrasts: The steady, unflappable Kucera against the emotional and unpredictable Ivanisevic. On a couple close calls that went against him, the volatile Croat tossed his racket and ripped his shirt.
The 24-year-old Slovak kept Ivanisevic on the move throughout the match with his speed off groundstrokes, and fatigue became a factor.
Corretja wins title
INDIANAPOLIS: Alex Corretja survived a knockdown return by Andre Agassi and then saved four break points in a crucial third game of the final set for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory yesterday in the title match of the RCA Championships.
It was the first championship in the United States for Corretja, No 11 in the latest ATP rankings and seeded sixth in the tournament, and was worth 122,500 to the 24-year-old Spaniard.
Seles tops
MONTREAL:Monica Seles won her fourth consecutive Du Maurier open women8217;s tennis championship with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 victory over Arantxa Sanchez Vicario of Spain.
Seles, 24, needed only one hour 16 minutes to win the 150,000 top prize for the Hardcourt Tournament at Montreal8217;s sold-out, 10,500-seat Jarry Stadium. Sanchez won 60,000.
It was the first tournament victory of the year for Seles, the former world No 1 currently ranked No 6, who showed she is in top form heading into the US Open in two weeks.