US Open champion Marat Safin and Olympic gold medallist Yevgeny Kafelnikov scored a one-two punch for Russia yesterday as both powered into the third-round of the $2.95 million Stuttgart Masters Series.
The top-seeded Safin busted a career-long jinx wide open as he beat Fabrice Santoro at his fifth attempt, administering a satisfying 6-2, 6-4 whipping of the Frenchman. Sixth seed Kafelnikov trimmed the hopes of Basel finalist Roger Federer as he defeated the young Swiss 7-5, 6-3 to advance at the Schleyerhalle.
Safin will next meet battling Briton Greg Rusedski, hot on the comeback trail after nearly a year of foot problems complicated by a slow recovery from December surgery.
British ninth seed Tim Henman stopped Spain's Albert Costa 6-2, 6-3 for a third-round place at the penultimate Masters of the season. He will play on-fire teenager
Lleyton Hewitt in a re-run of the Scottsdale final from March which the Aussie won.
Meanwhile, Magnus Norman was handed a place in the inaugural Tennis Masters Cup when Swiss opponent Marc Rosset fell ill and withdrew from the Stuttgart Masters yesterday.
Cricket: South Africa were set a target of 153 in 32 overs in a rain-hit fifth limited overs international against New Zealand at Kingsmead yesterday.
New Zealand made 114 for five in 32.4 overs in an innings that was twice interrupted by rain.
South Africa's target was set according to the Duckworth-Lewis method which applies to rain-interrupted matches. South Africa lead the series 3-0.
