Verkerk Upset in Amersfoort; Fed Cup Readies

ATP REVIEW/PREVIEW
French Open runner-up Martin Verkerk made his debut as the top seed at the Dutch Open a (badly) memorable one Tuesday, losing in three sets to Italian Giorgio Galimberti, who was playing only his fourth tour-level event of 2003. Verkerk is 0-3 since his Roland Garros dream walk. "I really hate it, but I let him into the match after the first set. I should have stayed on top of him. I do not know what happened, but he got better and better and I lost my serve and my forehand," said Verkerk, who is not afraid to go to the injury card. "Besides I have trouble with my shoulder and am going to the University Hospital at Utrecht to make a MRI scan tomorrow. That should make clear what is wrong with it." Have them scan your head while they're at it. Other seeds escorted out were (2)Gaudio (l. to Lisnard) and (5)Vicente (l. to the Dutchman van Lottum), while the winners included (3)Chela (d. Puerta) and (6)"Everybody Loves" Raemon Sluiter (d. Alexander "Tennis-X Bottom 10" Waske).
In Stuttgart the temperatures heated up Tuesday, and the top players responded...by losing. Former Roland Garros champion (8)Costa was ousted by Jiri Vanek, and (7)Mantilla choked three match points in a loss to countryman Feliciano Lopez. "It was tough out there for the first time in five weeks," said Costa, returning from a knee injury. "I was a little out of rhythm, maybe a little confused. I was trying my best, but I'll just have to put that focus towards getting ready for Kitzbuhel next week. The positive I can take from this is that I was out there competing again and felt good in my knee." Now to just feel good in your confusion. Advancing were (2)Coria (d. Mathieu in a juniors rematch), (10)El Aynaoui (d. Etlis), (13)Max "The Beast" Mirnyi (d. (Q)M.Lopez) showing he can do it on clay, (14)Davydenko (d. Mutis), and unseeded Rafael "The Prodigy" Nadal (d. (WC)Petzschner).

Seeds in action Wednesday in Amersfoort are (7)Massu vs. Andre "Tennis-X Bottom 10" Sa, and van Scheppingen vs. (9)Squillari, and Stuttgart rolls out the seeds with (4)Grosjean vs. Volandri, (1)Moya vs. Behrend, (3)Schuettler vs. Abel in an all-German affair, (9)Robredo vs. Burgsmuller, (16)Ljubicic vs. Ferrer, (5)Novak vs. Sargsian, (15)Corretja vs. O.Rochus (upset special), (6)Gonzalez vs. Rafael "The Prodigy" Nadal in a first-time meeting, (12)Youzhny vs. Lapentti, and (11)Nieminen vs. A.Martin.

WTA REVIEW/PREVIEW
The Fed Cup quarterfinals begin Saturday, with the U.S. vs. Italy, Belgium vs. Slovak Republic, Slovenia vs. Russia, and Spain vs. France. There is also World Group Playoff action to see which countries get banished to the minor leagues for 2004, featuring Argentina vs. Hungary, Australia vs. Colombia, Austria vs. Canada, Croatia vs. Brazil, South Africa vs. Czech Republic, Indonesia vs. Germany, Japan vs. Sweden, and Switzerland vs. Israel.
Fed Cup Quarterfinal Match Preview:

FRANCE AT SPAIN
Site: Escuela de Tenis Municipal Parque del Oeste, Oviedo, ESP
Surface: outdoor red clay
Ball Type: Dunlop Fort

France comes in as the favorite with the experience of Amelie Mauresmo and the solid doubles team of Nathalie Dechy and Emilie Loit, but Spain has the big homecourt advantage, along with dirtball grinders Magui "Don't Call Me Maggie" Serna, and the impressively-named Maria-Antonia Sanchez-Lorenzo, how can you beat that. Throw in Anabel Medina-Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual, and you've almost got enough for a softball team. Spain is 4-1 against France, but the two nations have not met since 1996.

ATP TOP 10 WINNING PERCENTAGE
Club Fed dropping to No. 3 is the only change in the Top 10 winning percentages on tour (minimum 22 matches, through July 14, 2003):
1. Agassi, Andre (USA) 33-5 .868
2. Ferrero, Juan Carlos (ESP) 43-8 .843
3. Federer, Roger (SUI) 53-10 .842
4. Hewitt, Lleyton (AUS) 25-6 .807
5. Moya, Carlos (ESP) 39-12 .765
6. Roddick, Andy (USA) 35-12 .745
7. Coria, Guillermo (ARG) 32-11 .744
8. Grosjean, Sebastien (FRA) 24-11 .686
9. Kuerten, Gustavo (BRA) 26-12 .684
10. Philippoussis, Mark (AUS) 25-12 .676

TENNIS-X MEN'S BOTTOM 10 RANKINGS
A lot of shake-ups after the grasscourt season, with Andre Sa giving up the top spot in a two-way tie for worst on tour. Moving out: Justin Gimelstob, Lars Burgsmuller, David Ferrer; Moving in: Spaniards Al Montanes and Albert Portas, and Argentina's Jose Acasuso (minimum 13 matches, through July 14, 2003):
1T. Krajan, Zeljko (CRO) 2-11 .154
1T. Waske, Alexander (GER) 2-11 .154
3. Sa, Andre (BRA) 3-16 .158
4. Enqvist, Thomas (SWE) 4-18 .182
5. Mamiit, Cecil (USA) 3-10 .231
6T. Beck, Karol (SVK) 5-13 .278
6T. Labadze, Irakli (GEO) 5-13 .278
8. Voinea, Adrian (ROM) 7-16 .304
9. Montanes, Albert (ESP) 5-11 .313
10T. Acasuaso, Jose (ARG) 6-13 .316
10T. Portas, Albert (ESP) 6-13 .316

NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS
Andre Agassi has finally dished about the proposed slam boycott in a press statement to the LA Times: "The participation agreement that was presented to the players prior to Wimbledon is inappropriate for two reasons. First, the Grand Slams are four independent organizations. The Slams act independently, should be treated independently and should not be threatened with a blanket boycott. Second, the game needs discussions that are designed to be productive. It does not need threats that will simply create mistrust. The ATP Tour should work with each Grand Slam independently to promote the professional game of tennis. Of course, I expect the Grand Slams to commit themselves to addressing all of the concerns of our sport. If one of the Grand Slams is not willing to engage in addressing those concerns, then I will support any action that may be necessary for the advancement of our sport." Agassi appeared Tuesday night on Jim Rome's "Rome is Burning."..In addition to Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt is also against the participation agreement as a whole...Serena Williams was on the Leno show Tuesday night...Davis Cup loser group results from last week: Chile d. Venezuela 3-2 (Gonzalez posts a 2-0 singles record, Rios was 0-2), Finland d. Norway 4-1, Israel d. Zimbabwe 5-0, Poland d. Monaco 5-0, Tunisia d. Ghana 4-1, Ukraine d. Cote D'Ivoire 3-2, Egypt d. Andorra 3-2, South Africa d. Portugal 5-0, Denmark d. Slovenia 4-1, Greece d. Ireland 5-0, and Yugoslavia d. Bulgaria 3-1...We may have to change the slant of the site, considering some of the top search entries this week such as "clijsters lesbian" and "pictures of andy roddick naked"...John McEnroe does not normally play mixed doubles for his New York Sportimes of the World Team Tennis league, but will make an exception this Saturday when they battle Martina Navratilova and her Philadelphia Freedoms. "When I saw Martina was coming to town, I decided I need to play mixed that night. I'm looking forward to it."...Bobby Reynolds, the top-ranked player in men's college tennis, has decided to leave Vanderbilt and turn pro, Commodores coach Ken Flach said...Michael Chang continued his Farewell Losing Tour Tuesday night at the Aptos Challenger, this time getting beat by Sergio Roitman 62, 76(4). Ouch.