The United States, the Fed Cup favourites, were dumped out in the first round by Austria yesterday in the climax of a controversial weekend which saw their No 1 player Jennifer Capriati thrown off the team.
The reigning Australian and French Open champion was ditched by captain Billie Jean King on
Saturday for flouting US team rules by refusing to cancel a private practice session with father and coach Stefano.
King's "zero-tolerance" approach meant the US had to forfeit Capriati's match on Sunday and, when Monica Seles was stunned by Barbara Schwartz on the opening day, the favourites were 2-0 down and facing an uphill battle in Charlotte.
Schwartz continued her heroics yesterday, coming back from a set down to beat Capriati's replacement Meghann Shaughnessy 4-6 7-6 9-7 and complete one of the biggest shocks in Fed Cup history.
Meanwhile champions Belgium eased into the quarter-finals by recording a comfortable 3-1 victory over Australia.
Last year's beaten finalists Russia, however, were shocked by Germany, 3-2.
* In Houston, American Andy Roddick outslugged compatriot Pete Sampras 7-6 6-3 to successfully defend his title in the US men's clay court championship yesterday.
Roddick, 19, had 13 aces to 12 for Sampras, who was trying to win a tournament for the first time since his seventh Wimbledon title in 2000.
Sampras is now winless in 25 events.
"Obviously, it's so much fun to play against someone who was one of my heroes growing up," Roddick said.
* In Barcelona, unseeded Argentine Gaston Gaudio tipped over 15th-seeded Spaniard Albert Costa 6-4 6-0 6-2 in the final of the US$1 million ($2.25 million) Barcelona Open yesterday.
- AGENCIES
