Tennis: Martinez opts for Brighton

(First Edition)

CONCHITA MARTINEZ, the Wimbledon champion, has agreed to take part in the international tournament at Brighton next week. The Spanish world No3 takes over as the top seed in place of Steffi Graf, who withdrew because of a persistent back injury, writes John Roberts.

George Hendon, the tournament director, announced the news with some relief, having lost Graf for the second consecutive year. Martinez, who beat Martina Navratilova in the Wimbledon final in July, joins Jana Novotna, the runner-up to Graf at the All England Club last year, heading the 32-strong draw.