Capriati impresses

Tennis

Jennifer Capriati, playing in her first tournament in the United States for over a year, looked sharp and fit despite an erratic first set at the Farm Evert Cup in Indian Wells, California. Steffi Graf also made a winning return in her first match since surgery in December.

Capriati, who last played in her home country in November 1994 in Philadelphia, beat the 50th-ranked Italian Rita Grande 6-4, 6-1 in the first round on Saturday.

Capriati, who turns 20 at the end of the month, overcame a first set in which there were seven consecutive service breaks.

The American, who has had drug problems, returned to the game last month, playing one tournament in Europe.

Steffi Graf, the joint world No 1 who is also making a comeback after surgery on her left foot in December, thrashed the Swedish newcomer Kristina Triska, winning her second-round match 6-0, 6-1.

n Goran Ivanisevic, of Croatia, won his fourth title of the year yesterday when he beat the third seeded Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 in the final of the men's indoor tournament in Rotterdam. Kafelnikov had beaten Britain's Tim Henman 7-6, 6-3 in the semi-finals.