Third Team Not Enough As U.S. Eliminated From Davis Cup

Turns out the United States needed more than its third team to advance in the Davis Cup, after all.

With its best players - Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi among them - bowing out in favor of more lucrative events, the Americans lost 3-2 to the Czech Republic in Prague, Czech Republic, on Sunday when Petr Korda defeated MaliVai Washington in three sets in the decisive match.

In losing in the quarterfinals, the defending Davis Cup champions again are faced with trying to get their best players to participate.

“Right now, I can’t see how you would work out the schedule,” said U.S. Tennis Association president Les Snyder, referring to bigger paydays chosen by the likes of Sampras, Agassi, Michael Chang and Jim Courier.

“You either have to get rid of some tournaments or you have to do some other type of configuration that I can’t see. This will happen from time to time - the U.S. is unique that is has so many good players.”

Entering Sunday’s play on the indoor court, the Czech Republic led 2-1 after a thrilling doubles victory on Saturday before an enthusiastic crowd. But Todd Martin, ranked 17th, came through for the United States in the first reverse singles, defeating Daniel Vacek 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, 6-1 to tie the match 2-2.

Korda, though, won the pivotal first set against Washington, ranked 19th, and went on for a 7-6, 6-3, 6-2 win. And the U.S., Davis Cup champion 31 times, was eliminated.

After a decade of trying, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario finally won the Family Circle Cup in Hilton Head Island, S.C., beating surprise finalist Barbara Paulus.

Sanchez Vicario won 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 to earn the $200,000 first prize in the year’s opening clay court tournament at Sea Pines Racquet Club.

Paulus made the final by topping two-time defending champion and No. 1 seed Conchita Martinez 7-6 (7-2), 6-4. Sanchez Vicario defeated No. 6 Jana Novotna in the semifinals, held Sunday because rain washed them out a day earlier.