TENNIS / ITALIAN OPEN : 3rd Seed Sanchez-Vicario Upset

Canada’s Helen Kelesi staged two dramatic comebacks to upset weary third-seeded Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, 6-4, 7-5, in the third round of the Italian Open today.

Also reaching the quarterfinals was 14-year-old Jennifer Capriati, who won a tough battle against Italy’s Laura Golarsa, 6-3, 6-7, (10-8), 6-2.

Top-seeded Martina Navratilova, Still bothered by a pulled hamstring, the 33-year-old Navratilova managed to defeat Italy’s Sandra Cecchini 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

Sanchez-Vicario took a 4-2 lead in the first set before giving up four consecutive games and the set to Kelesi.

The scenario repeated itself in the second set, as Sanchez-Vicario, 18, squandered leads of 4-2 and 5-3.

“After I fell behind 4-2 in the first set, I just told myself to relax, and to start getting ready for the second,” said Kelesi, seeded 11th. “And I started playing better.”

“I really needed this win today. I played Arantxa twice this year and lost both times. I knew that if I lost today, it would be a long time before I beat her again.”

Sanchez-Vicario said that fatigue had been a factor in the loss. “I think I’ve played too many tournaments in a row,” she said. “After seven tournaments this year, I’m tired. I gave it everything I had today. I attacked on the important points. But my shots kept going long. I guess it just wasn’t my day.”

Navratilova, who wore a bandage around her left thigh, said the hamstring injury bothered her on some points.

“I couldn’t get down on some volleys and low balls. But it’s better than yesterday so I’m encouraged,” she said.

Two other seeded teen-agers, 16-year-old Monica Seles and 19-year-old defending champion Gabriela Sabatini also reached the quarters. Seles beat Mercedes Paz 6-1, 6-1 and the fourth-seeded Sabatini eliminated Regina Rajchrtova 6-0, 6-1.