TENNIS

TENNIS

Glasgow's Ross Matheson is the only British survivor in the semi-finals of the LTA men's indoor satellite event in Eastbourne, Sussex, after beating the Czech Republic's Jiri Pelikan 2-6 7-6 7-6 yesterday. The Scot now meets third seed, Thomas Johansson of Sweden, who knocked out another British player, Andrew Richardson, 7-6 6-2. The only other quarter-finalist, Barry Cowan of Ormskirk, was also knocked out by Italy's Mose Navarra 7-6 6-7 6-4.

Billie Jean King has been named as captain of the US Federation Cup team and announced her intention of getting Martina Navratilova to play as one of her first jobs. "I would definitely consider her," King said of the 38-year-old Navratilova, who quit competitive tennis at the end of 1994. "You have to look at her experience. . . There's no question she is still up there in the top five in doubles." King said she would attempt to talk with Navratilova this weekend. King helped coach Navratilova for the final years of her career, which featured 18 Grand Slam singles titles and 31 in doubles. King also plans to talk with Gigi Fernandez, Mary Joe Fernandez, Zina Garrison and Lori McNeil in preparation of putting together a pool of six to 12 players, who will be available to play throughout the year.