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Journalism of Courage
Doha, January 6: Marcelo Rios of Chile raced into the one million Qatar Open final on Sunday with a 6-1, 6-3 win over V Vladimir Voltchkov of Belarus. Czech qualifier Bohdan Ulihrach edged past Frenchman Nicolas Escude 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 in the other semi-final, a two hours 41 minutes marathon.
Rios, who ended an injury-marred 2000 in 36th place in the ATP champions race, was far too solid for Voltchkov and wrapped up the match inside an an hour.
Serena wins
SYDNEY: Serena Williams advanced to the second round of the Sydney International here on Sunday with a 6-3, 7-6 8-6 win over American compatriot Lilia Osterloh.
Haas supreme
ADELAIDE: Germanyacirc;euro;trade;s Tommy Haas won the Australian menacirc;euro;trade;s hardcourt championships on Sunday with a 6-3, 6-1 win over surprise finalist Nicolas Massu, to take his second ATP title and end a dream run for the Chilean Challenger.
Amanda advances
CANBERRA: Australian Amanda Grahame beat countrywoman Annabel Ellwood 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 7-3 on Sunday, advancing to a second round meeting with French Open champion Mary Pierce at the Canberra International tennis tournament here.
Given a bye in the first round, top seed Pierce is playing her first tournament since she was forced to withdraw from the US Open in September because of a shoulder injury. Grahame is ranked 229th in the world and first caught international attention when she took Serena Williams to three sets at last yearacirc;euro;trade;s Australian Open.
Pierce was in the stands with her baseball player fiance Roberto Alomar watching when Grahame beat Ellwood.
