NEW YORK, 26 August 2003 — Upsets began early at the US Open, with eighth seed Chanda Rubin being the first major victim in what the 27-year-old American dubbed one of the worst defeats of her career. Venezuela’s Maria Vento-Kabchi ousted Rubin 6-4, 6-4 in 76 minutes here yesterday in the first match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras was set to be honored later in retirement ceremonies.
Britain’s Greg Rusedski was ousted yesterday by France’s Gregory Carraz, his earliest exit from the Grand Slam event since 1996. Carraz, ranked 100th, defeated 90-rated Rusedski 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in two hours and 50 minutes to capture the first-round match on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts, finishing off the Briton with his 22nd ace of the match.
Rubin had been suffering from right shoulder tendinitis and sidelined for the past three weeks, but said the injury was not a factor in her loss to the 84th-ranked South American veteran.
“I can’t remember playing quite this bad,” Rubin said. “On center court at the US Open, it’s worse than playing this badly somewhere else. This is definitely one of the worst. It’s a disappointing loss. It definitely will linger. It’s a bitter pill.”
Rubin committed 46 unforced errors, twice as many Vento-Kabchi, and tumbled out in her first match here for the first time since 1999. “I had some chances, just didn’t play with enough glue, enough consistency, just didn’t concentrate well enough,” Rubin said. “It was a lot of hit and miss. I needed to be more aggressive. It’s a poor match considering what I know I needed to do.”
Vento-Kabchi advanced to a second-round match against Russia’s Elena Likhovtseva, who ousted Croatia’s Iva Majoli 6-1, 6-1. Rubin has never advanced past the fourth round here but had hopes with defending champion Serena Williams and her sister Venus out with injuries and several rivals hurt as well.
Rubin’s ouster and a foot injury nagging third seed Lindsay Davenport have opened an entire quarter of the women’s draw.
That could aid South Africa’s Amanda Coetzer, the 14th seed, who beat American Gabriela Lastra 6-0, 6-2. “No doubt there is a gap in the draw. We have to take advantage,” Coetzer said.
“Coming in I felt I had a pretty good chance to do well here with so many players being injured. It’s still a long way to go to get into that position.”
Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn beat Italy’s Rita Grande 6-0, 7-5 in 67 minutes. Rallying from 5-2 down in the second set, Tamarine broke Grande twice to capture the final five games and advance. “I’m happy with the way I played,” Tamarine said. “She started missing and I took my chances by staying aggressive.”
Fifth seed Amelie Mauresmo of France needed just 62 minutes to advance with a 6-0, 6-2 triumph over Angelique Widjaja, breaking the Indonesian three times in each set to cruise.
Form held early on the men’s side with third seed Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain bouncing Czech Jan Vacek 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in two hours and 14 minutes.
Thai Star Defends ATP Crown on Eve of US Open
In New York, top seed Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand defended his crown at a $355,000 ATP tournament here Sunday, needing just 70 minutes to dispatch American James Blake 6-2, 6-4 in the final. On the eve of the US Open, Paradorn captured his fourth career ATP crown and second of the year, having taken the title at Chennai in January. Paradorn, 24, won his first ATP title here last year.
“This is an emotional win for me,” Paradorn said. “This is where it all started for me last year. People have always been great here. It looks as if I always play my best here.”
Last year’s triumph did little to help his cause at the US Open. Paradorn was ousted in the second round of the year’s final Grand Slam event. It was the first triumph in four tries for Paradorn over Blake, who saved four match points. Paradorn controlled the match from the helm, surging to a 6-2, 4-0 lead before a little scare. Blake came back from 5-2 down to win the next two games.
But Paradorn managed to put the American away at his fifth match point. “I got a little carried away at 4-0,” Paradorn said. “I was rushing.”
Paradorn decided to wear his lucky red shirt, a Thai trademark habit he carries into matches when he senses he is going to fight for a victory.
The Thai veteran saluted his father and coach, Chanachai, after the victory and kneeled on the court in prayer after the victory, which he dedicated to the King of Thailand, his Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Doctors Confirm Paes Not Suffering From Cancer
In New Delhi, Wimbledon mixed doubles champion Leander Paes has been told by doctors in Florida that he was not suffering from brain cancer after he was admitted to the hospital a week ago suffering from severe headaches.
A malignant tumor had initially not been ruled out but a series of tests revealed a tiny lesion on the left side of his brain.
