TENNIS ROUNDUP : Courier Sweeps Ivanisevic to Win Italian Open Again

Jim Courier re-established himself as the world’s top clay-court player and favorite for the French Open by overwhelming Goran Ivanisevic, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2, Sunday to win the Italian Open at Rome.

Courier won $240,000 and became the first player to win consecutive Italian Open titles since Jaroslav Drobny in 1950-51. He did it in the same impressive fashion as last year, when he went on to win his second consecutive French Open title.

“This has been a perfect preparation going into Paris,” Courier said. “It’s no guarantee I’m going to do great at the French. But if I had to pick a way to get ready, this would be it.”

After beating clay-court specialists Sergi Bruguera and Michael Chang in the quarterfinals and semifinals, Courier made it look easy against Ivanisevic. The match lasted only two hours.

“I was not there today,” Ivanisevic said. “I don’t know who was out there, but it wasn’t me.”

*

Steffi Graf spoiled Gabriela Sabatini’s 23rd birthday by beating her, 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-4, at Berlin to win a record seventh German Open title.

Sabatini lost in straight sets to Conchita Martinez in last week’s Italian Open final. She has not won a tournament in a year.

*

Todd Martin defeated David Wheaton, 6-3, 6-4, at Coral Springs, Fla., to win the inaugural $225,000 America’s Red Clay Championship, his first ATP Tour title.

ocm,12p

* FRENCH OPEN: Jim Courier is among the top eight Thomas Bonk rates as contenders for the men’s title at Paris. C11