thursday,may 6,2004
the university daily kansan
sports
3B
Clay-court matches slip up some players
The Associated Press
ROME—Roger Federer's keys to success after a second-round loss in the Italian Open: more practice, more matches, less panic.
And more seeded players left in the second round.
in the second hour.
Last year's French Open runner-up, No. 14 Martin Verkerk,
lost to Luis Horns 6-4, 3-6, 6-4,
and No. 13 Fernando Gonzalez was beaten by Nikolay Davydenko 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.
paint. "People are looking at this as too dramatic," the top-ranked Federer said after he was ousted by unseeded Albert Costa 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 yesterday. "It's not a disaster because I knew how tough the clay-court season is for me."
In fact, with the three top-seeded players out in the first three days in Rome, the clay-court competition seems as unpredictable as ever just weeks before the start of the French Open, the only Grand Slam tournament played on the surface.
Federer joined No. 2 Andy Roddick and No. 3 Rainer Schuettler in making an early exit.
Federer, a finalist here last year before going on to win Wimbledon and the Australian Open, looked in top form during the first set despite three weeks off the tour.
dunkeno629127 Horna upset Federer in the first round of the 2003 French Open.
But then his game fell apart. He sprayed his powerful forehand long, netted several volleys and looked uncomfortable sliding on the red clay.
ing out of the meantime, 2002 French Open champion Costa found his game.
"I tried everything I could," Federer said. "He didn't give me much."
Costa is considered a formidable opponent on the slow surface, but he's having a poor season.
"I played more aggressively, that was the key," he said.
Federer didn't help his cause committing 44 unforced errors twice as many as Costa.
"I have to go on the practice courts and really do drills," Federer said. "And hopefully I'll feel better on certain shots."
feel better at Hamburg He plans to play in Hamburg next week to get more matches in before Paris.
before Paris.
Davydenko is set to play Vincent Spadea, the last American in the tournament, in the third spade. Spadea came back to beat Hicham Arazi of Morocco 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.
2.6-4.
Also out is last year's winner in Rome, Felix Mantilla, who lost to Mariano Zabaleta 7-5, 6-3. Mantilla scraped though the first round after saving four match points but could do little yesterday to halt his recent run of poor form.
form.
In a first-round match suspended by rain Tuesday night at 3-3 in the second set, two-time major champion Lleyton Hewitt came back to beat Italian wildcard entry Andreas Seppi 5-7, 7-5. 6-3, Seppi, ranked 216th, has never won an ATP tournament match.
Before rain interrupted evening matches again yesterday, two seeded players came through the second round: No. 4 Tim Henman and No. 8 Nicolas Massu.
and No. 8.8 Manipulate Henman beat Radek Stepanek 6-1, 6-1, while Massu eased past Irakli Labadze 6-2, 7-5.
"I didn't expect to play as well as I did and I didn't expect it to be as straightforward," said Heman, who's never been past the third round in seven appearances in Rome.
"Clay is the biggest challenge for my style of game ... so every match you win you are pleased," he said.
ATHENS, Greece — Greece's efforts to calm fears about Olympic security were rocked by three bombs that exploded at dawn yesterday 100 days before the Summer Games.
Three bombs explode in Athens; zero injuries
The Associated Press
The government assigned top anti-terrorist agents to investigate the bombings, which caused no injuries but damaged a suburban police station.
Officials insisted there was no link to the Aug. 13-29 Olympics and probably were carried out by self-styled anarchists or other domestic extremists.
A Greek delegation, led by the public order minister and the head of the Greek police, is in Washington for talks on how to safeguard the first Summer Olympics since the Sept. 11.
Still, the timing of the blasts exactly 100 days before the opening ceremony in Athens offered multiple Olympic ties.
On Monday, the IOC opens its final review of Athens' preparations, which have been beset by construction delays and other glitches.
2001, attacks on the United States.
Premier Costas Caramanlis called the bombing "an isolated incident which does not affect whatsoever the safety of the Olympic preparation".
"I don't think panic is created by this kind of small incident." Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni said in Paris, where she was promoting her city.
Greece's anti-terrorist units took over the investigation. Police said foot patrols and other surveillance would be increased.
But worries loom despite Olympic security spending of more than $1.2 billion, including assistance from NATO.
assistant coach.
“It’s definitely got caught up in my head,” said defending Olympic tennis gold medalist
Venus Williams, who said she was looking forward to competing in Athens.
ing in Athens. "I'll just hope for the best and say my prayers — for everyone in general," she said at the German Open in Berlin.
U. S. pole vaulter Stacy Dragula, also an Olympic champion, said she was aware "there's a possibility of terrorist attacks. It is scary for the world at this time."
"I know that our governing body will not send us to a place that they don't feel is safe enough for us to go," she said.
for us to go, she said. The U.S. Olympic Committee said its position had not changed.
"We have every expectation and every reason to believe our team will be in Athens for the games this August," USOC spokesman Darryl Seibel said.
The Athens organizing committee "is implementing a comprehensive security plan that will provide a safe and secure environment for athletes from every
nation," he said.
Thomas Bach, a vice president of the International Olympic Committee, expressed the reality of any large event: "We can only repeat openly that 100 percent security doesn't exist."
security doesn't exist.
Australia — host of the 2000 Sydney Games — will "review the existing threat assessment," said its foreign minister, Alexander Downer. Australia is part of a seven-nation security advisory panel for Athens that includes the United States, Britain and France.
"These three bombings plunge us back into a problem that's important (and) troubling," France's Olympic Committee president, Henry Serandour, told FranceInfo radio.
But French President Jacques Chirac urged nations to "stand by" Greece, and British Prime Minister Tony Blair said "the games should go on as planned."
Colorado era tumbles like an avalanche
The Associated Press
DENVER -- Losing to San Jose in six games was more than just the finish to a disappointing season for the Colorado Avalanche.
It might be the end of an era
After nearly a decade of dominance, including two Stanley Cup championships, the Avalanche could be in for some big changes next season.
"We don't know what's going to happen next year."
"We don't know yet what's going to happen next year," goalie David Aebischer said. "There's probably going to be some change, but there's every year some change."
Star forward Peter Forsberg could be headed back home to Sweden to finish his career, Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya could be gone after one less-than-
David Aebischer
Avalanche goalie
And if the NHL reaches a new labor agreement that includes a salary cap, Colorado will have no choice but to make changes to its high-priced roster.
productive season, and coach Tony Granato is on thin ice after another playoff disappointment
high-priced roster.
"If it's going to be that, you're not going to have these players like you had and it's going to be much more even than it is now," Forsberg said. "I don't think that we can keep the line that we have right now."
Derby winner returns
Smarty Jones heads home to Bensalem on undefeated run The Associated Press
BENSALEM, Pa. — Pennsylvania-bred Smarty Jones, the first undefeated Derby winner since Seattle Slew in 1977 and the likely favorite for the Preakness on May 15, returned to Philadelphia Park yesterday.
phila Park yesterday.
A media crowd totaling about 100 — unheard of for a track that doesn't even have a press box — showed up for Smarty's first day home in about three months. The horse trained up to the Derby in Arkansas, winning the Southwest Stakes, Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby before moving on to Kentucky.
So, on the morning after the Flyers advanced the Eastern Conference final in NHL playoffs, it was Smarty Jones' turn to take center stage in Philly.
With a pony escort, Smarty Jones walked along the dirt path and made his way onto the track as a crowd of 200 including track personnel and media members took up spots along the outer rail for a close-up view.
John Servis, Smarty's trainer, said the horse would gallop Thursday, but there won't be a final workout before the colt attempts to win the Preakness, setting up a Triple Crown try in the Belmont Stakes on June 5.
takes on jane "Working him would be useless. He's already there," Servis said. "My big concern now is just keeping him happy. I want him to that stage where he's ready to go bear hunting with a switch. That's where I want him."
You can take it with you!
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2004!
Our graduation gift to you...a free Alumni Association membership!
800-584-2957
www.kualumni.org
You'll receive a six-month complimentary membership in the Kansas Alumni Association from June to November 2004 which includes:
- E-mail forwarding. Go to our Web site for all the details. Your @ku.edu address can become @kualumni.org address, messages will be forwarded to any e-mail address you specify. E-mail forwarding will be available to the Class of 2004 after June 1, 2004.
Kansas Alumni Association
- Three issues of Kansas Alumni magazine. Stay up to date with what's happening on campus and what your classmates are doing.
- Advance to alumni chapter events, professional society events with your school, and access to chapters across the country.
- Invitations to alumni chapter events, professional society events with your school, and access to chapters across the country and worldwide.
- Color calendar. Our 2005 calendar with wonderful campus scenes will keep Mount Oread as close as your home or office wall.
- Guide to Jayhawk Basketball. Our hoops guide will ensure you'll never miss a KU game, watch party, or place to hang out with other Jayhawks wherever you are!
Crimson and Blue send-off parties for Class of 2004
Wednesday, May 12, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Adams Alumni Center
Grad Grill
Join us for your first official alumni event at the Adams Alumni Center sponsored by the Student Alumni Association. Don't miss out on all the great door prizes, free food and drinks. (Catered by the Hereford House. Vegetarian option available.) This is your chance to pick up lots of information about alumni activities and services. Campus offices will be on hand to share information about
their services to you...a proud KU graduate! Get a free KU gift when you complete an application for the INSTRUCT Jayhawk bankcard. Please RSVP to saa@ku.edu by May 10.
Commencement Lunch Sunday, May 23. 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Outlook, Chancellor's Residence
Before the big walk down the Hill, graduates and their guests can celebrate at the Chancellor's residence. Chancellor Robert and Leah Hemenway will provide free box lunches for all who request tickets for the luncheon. The Kansas Alumni Association will welcome you into alumni status and the Senior Class officers will announce the class gift and banner. Pick up your requested tickets at the Alumni Association's headquarters on the third floor of the Adams Alumni Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, May 3 - 19. A reservation card is in your Commencement packet; go to the Registrar's office if you did not receive this mailing.
Questions? Call your Alumni Association at 864-4760, e-mail kualumni@kualumni.org or go to www.kualumni.org