Tennis: Capriati's collapse

JENNIFER CAPRIATI, the second seed, was defeated by a Russian with a world ranking of 330 in the second round of the Virginia Slims of Houston tournament yesterday.

Tatiana Ignatieva, playing in her first major event thanks to a wild card, beat the Amercian, ranked No 7 in the world, 2-6, 7-6, 6-2. It was the 16-year-old Capriati's second surprise defeat in a row, having lost to Judith Wiesner in the third round of the Lipton Championships in Florida last week.

'I don't feel my game was there at all,' Capriati said, 'but she was tough because she hit a heavy topspin. I never do well against players who do that.' Ignatieva now meets the unseeded German, Sabine Hack, who defeated Julie Halard, of France. In another match, Britain's Jo Durie was beaten 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 by Christine Papadaki, of Greece.