Williams Sisters Win
High school senior Serena Williams took a break from algebra to pass another tennis test.
Williams defeated Irina Spirlea 7-6 (7-4), 6-0 in the second round of the Lipton Championships. Williams was joined in the third round a couple of hours later by her more famous sister, Venus, who beat Tatiana Panova 6-3, 6-3.
In men’s play, reigning U.S. Open champion and fourth-seeded Patrick Rafter was upset by Vince Spadea 6-3, 7-5. No. 6 seed Yevgeny Kafelnikov outlasted Slava Dosedel 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5).
Boris Becker withdrew an hour before his firstround match, blaming the flu. He was scheduled to face Jonathan Stark.