Richardson's run ends

Tennis

Andrew Richardson's impressive run of results came to an end in Tokyo yesterday when he was beaten in the second round of the Japan Open by Switzerland's Marc Rosset.

The 23-year-old left-hander from Lincolnshire, who was forced to win two qualifying matches to enter the main draw, put up a brave fight against the former Olympic champion.

Richardson fought back after losing the first set on a tie-break, but it was Rosset who booked a third-round place with a 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 victory.

Richardson, who was Great Britain's success in the Davis Cup defeat by Zimbabwe, reached his highest world ranking of 262 earlier this week, and could now go into the top 250.

The Wimbledon champion and No 1 seed, Richard Krajicek, beat South African Neville Godwin in straight sets.

n Rising Romanian player Irina Spirlea and former winners, Brenda Schultz- McCarthy and Lori McNeil, head the early entries for the DFS Classic in Birmingham from 9 to 15 June.