Injured Kournikova doubtful for France

AFTER SUFFERING a torn ligament in her left ankle following a fall at the German Open on Wednesday, Anna Kournikova is in doubt for the French Open.

The 18-year-old was injured at match point in her 4-6, 6-4,4-6 defeat to Gala Leon Garcia of Spain.

Her coach, Eric Van Harpen, was still hopeful that she might be fit for Paris, and said: "Only one of the ligaments is damaged and there is still hope."

Van Harpen also said that Kournikova needs to cut back on all the distractions if she wants to reach the top of the tennis rankings. Ranked 14th in the world, the photogenic Russian has never won a tournament, but is one of the most in-demand female athletes in the world among sponsors.

"She is just 18, so she still has time, but something has to change now," Van Harpen said. "She's not lazy - it's a lot more that she's distracted by the whole circus, sponsors, photo appointments, all the spectators when she trains."

Martina Hingis remains on course to defend her German Open title. The Swiss world No 1 yesterday advanced to the quarter-finals with a hard-fought victory over the world No 23,Silvija Talaja of Croatia.

The Croat outplayed Hingis in the first set, but after gaining two set points in the 11th game failed to convert them. Hingis recovered well to take the set into a tie break and won it 7-3. In the second set Hingis stepped up a gear to take the match 7-6, 6-3.

Hingis acknowledged the problem her opponent had caused her. "My mum had told me to watch her because she has a similar game like myself," she said. "She has a very good backhand, her forehand is a little weak but only a little and she runs a lot." She added: "I had to work quite hard for some points; it was quite a work-out."

Results (seedings in brackets)

Third Round

Mariano Puerta (Arg) def. (16) Juan Carlos Ferrero (Sp) 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-4. Albert Costa (Sp) def. Francisco Clavet (Sp) 6-3, 6-2. (4) Gustavo Kuerten (Bra) def. (14) Younes El Aynaoui (Mor). W.O. (15) Dominik Hrbaty (SA) def. (1) Andre Agassi 6-4, 6-4.