Spanish coach booted out

The firing came just weeks after Spain dismissed New Zealand 5-0 to qualify for the World group. It8217;s next Davis Cup match is against Italy in February.

Ruxandra stuns Elena

MOSCOW: Ruxandra Dragomir of Romania produced the first upset of the 1.05 million Kremlin Cup for ladies when she defeated eighth-seeded Elena Likhovtseva 6-3 7-5 here on Monday evening.

In the opening action, Likhovtseva8217;s doubles partner Ai Sugiyama of Japan, ranked 27th in the world, overpowered AnneKremer of Luxembourg 6-1 3-6 6-2.Earlier, last year8217;s runner-up Monica Seles and Anna Kournikova pulled out of the tournament with an injury.

Courier advances

LYON: American Jim Courier, seeking his first title in 18 months, beat France8217;s Arnaud Di Pasquale 2-6 7-6 7-2 7-5 on Monday evening in the first round of the Lyon Grand Prix.

OTHER RESULTS 1ST ROUND

Chris Woodruff US bt Arnaud Clement 6-4 6-2; Goran Ivanisevic Croat bt Gianluca Pozzi Italy 4-6 6-3 6-4; Richey Reneberg US bt Jens Knippschild Germ 6-3 retd; Wayne Ferreira Spain bt Jerome Hanquez France 6-4 6-3; Rainer Schuttler Germ bt Fabrice Santoro Fran 6-1 6-1.