TENNIS / WOMEN AT SAN DIEGO : Sun Shines on the Leading Players

The sun finally came out Wednesday at the Mazda Tennis Classic, and so did the seeded players.

Of the top five players at the La Costa Resort and Spa this week, only No. 1 Monica Seles had played through the tournament’s first two days. But after a two-hour rain delay Wednesday, three more finally played their first singles matches.

Third-seeded Manuela Maleeva-Fragniere defeated Kimberly Po, 6-7 (7-4), 6-3, 6-2; fifth-seeded Zina Garrison beat Ros Fairbank-Nideffer, 6-3, 6-4, and second-seeded Conchita Martinez beat Marianne Werdel, 6-3, 6-1, in 71 minutes.

The tournament almost came to a quick end for Maleeva-Fragniere, who became reacquainted with Po, a sophomore-to-be at UCLA.

Po, an amateur who is ranked 286th, lost eight of the first nine points before winning the first set. Her downfall came when she lost eight consecutive service games in the second and third sets.

Maleeva-Fragniere remembered that Po once was one of the best junior players in the United States. After that?

“I thought she must be going to college, because I didn’t see her,” Maleeva-Fragniere said. “I heard she turned professional a few months ago. Is this true?”

No, Po remains an amateur. Regardless, Maleeva-Fragniere survived. She made it to the finals in San Diego last year before losing to Steffi Graf and is looking forward to the rest of her week.

“I’m very happy to be back,” she said. “I feel good here. I feel like I know the place.”

Fourth-seeded Jennifer Capriati, though she won’t play her first singles match until tonight against Lori McNeil, also made an appearance Wednesday.

Capriati, 15, said she hasn’t done much this week.

“I’m just working out and hanging around,” she said. “Practicing and getting rest.”

She touched on several subjects with reporters.

The highlight of her professional career?

“Beating Martina (Navratilova, at Wimbledon).”

What emotional fulfillment has she received from the tour?

“Beating Martina.”

How has she enjoyed the tour?

“It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve gotten to meet a lot of movie stars.”

Whom in particular has she enjoyed meeting?

“Tom Cruise.”

Does she think she will be playing professional tennis in 10 years?

“Mm-hmm.”

Then she can’t foresee any burnout?

“Uh-uh.”

Seventh-seeded Barbara Paulus was highest-seeded player to lose Wednesday, falling to Debbie Graham, 3-6, 4-6. Graham, who attends Stanford, was the NCAA singles champion lastyear.

Garrison quickly disposed of Fairbank-Nideffer in her opener.

“I usually play well here,” Garrison said. “That’s one reason I come back.”

Garrison had to come a long way: from England and the Federation Cup. She arrived Monday night at La Costa.

“It was good for me it rained this morning,” Garrison said. “I got to sleep in a little later.”

Martinez, who won 12 of her last 13 games, also didn’t arrive from England until Monday night. She also was playing in the Federation Cup and acknowledged that she was tired.

Tournament Notes

Sunday’s final is sold out. . . . A total of 2,571 watched the morning session Wednesday at La Costa and 2,957 attended the evening session. . . . Sixth-seeded Nathalie Tauziat, who defeated Alysia May, 6-3, 6-4, was the most emotional player of the day. Tauziat, who eliminated Kathy Rinaldi Monday, let out several shrieks of frustration during the match and, at one point in the second set, she slapped herself in the face.

Gigi Fernandez and Jana Novotna, the top doubles tandem on the tour, have split, according to Fernandez. Novotna is No. 1 in the current point standings, and Fernandez is the No. 1-ranked female doubles player in the world.