Capriati’s Return Scuttled

Amidst the hoopla of Jennifer Capriati’s last-minute withdrawal, Martina Hingis calmly grabbed a spot in the second round of the Paris Open.

Hingis, the 15-year-old Swiss star who has been compared to Capriati in terms of the promise as well as the pitfalls of becoming a professional at too young an age, beat American Meredith McGrath 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the second round of the $450,000 tournament.

Capriati pulled out of the tournament just before she was scheduled to play her first competitive match in 15 months. She said she strained a muscle near her right hip and lower back while practicing earlier in the day.