Courier Upset on Clay in Spain

Alex Corretja, ranked No. 62 in the world, eliminated Jim Courier from the Conde de Godo tournament on clay in Barcelona, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, in the second round Tuesday.

Courier, who was second last year in the clay-court French Open to Sergi Bruguera, had no excuses for his loss.

“Alex is a good player, but if I play my normal game, I shouldn’t lose to him,” Courier said.

*

American qualifier David Pate, regarded as a doubles specialist, beat Japan’s top player, Shuzo Matsuoka, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, in the opening round of the Japan Open in Tokyo.

Boxing

Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has failed his high school equivalency test, but the organization that administers it denied that five math questions cited in the New York Daily News appeared in the examination.

The newspaper said it had gotten the story from a boxing magazine writer and stands by it.

*

European heavyweight champion Henry Akinwande won every round in outpointing Johnny Nelson--who was subbing on less than 72 hours notice for American James (Bonecrusher) Smith--in a 10-round non-title bout in London.

Football

The Houston Oilers and Cody Carlson’s agent are negotiating a new contract that would cut the quarterback’s 1994 pay by $1 million but put him in the starting lineup and clear the way for Warren Moon to be sent to the Minnesota Vikings. . . . Lewis Tillman, a running back who spent five years with the New York Giants, signed a three-year contract worth $2.9 million with the Chicago Bears. . . . The Giants and right tackle Doug Riesenberg agreed on a contract expected to pay him $8.3 million over the next four years.

Hockey

Philadelphia Flyer center Eric Lindros suffered a first-degree shoulder sprain in Monday’s game against the Jets at Winnipeg, but team officials say he will probably play Thursday against Florida.

*

Mike Colman, 25-year-old defenseman for the Kansas City Blades of the International Hockey League, was killed in a one-car crash.

Soccer

European soccer officials decided not to challenge FIFA President Joao Havelange’s reelection bid, clearing the way for his sixth term as head of soccer’s governing body. . . . The Russian Football Federation told 15 soccer players to confirm that they will play for Coach Pavel Sadyrin in this summer’s World Cup. If they don’t, they will be dropped from consideration for the team. . . . Diego Maradona, who hinted last week that he might retire because he is angry about press scrutiny, said he probably will play for Argentina in the World Cup.