Sampras, Stich Advance in Grand Slam Cup

Chang announced that he probably won’t play in the Australian Open next month.

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Jim Courier was selected to a U.S. Davis Cup team most notable for the absence of such stars as Sampras, Chang and Andre Agassi.

Courier, No. 2 in the ATP rankings and a Wimbledon finalist, was the only top U.S. player named to the team. The other singles player on the squad announced by Captain Tom Gullickson was Davis Cup newcomer Todd Martin.

Playing doubles against India in a first-round match at New Delhi March 25-27 will be Patrick McEnroe and Richey Reneberg.

Miscellany

Pitcher Mark Gardner was placed on unconditional release waivers by the Kansas City Royals.

The three major golf tournaments in the United States--the Masters, U.S. Open and PGA Championship--will count toward places for Europe’s next Ryder Cup team, the European PGA announced. The fourth major, the British Open, is already a European PGA Tour event. . . .A positive test for cocaine has dethroned Mike Hunter as heavyweight champion of the United States Boxing Assn. . . . Rod Baker, UC Irvine basketball coach, has suspended sophomore forward Shaun Battle through Saturday for “not adhering to team rules.”