AUSTRALIAN OPEN NOTES : Sawamatsu Gets Some Good News

Naoko Sawamatsu finally received some good news Monday.

Her best friend, missing and believed killed in the disastrous earthquake in Japan that destroyed Sawamatsu’s family home near Kobe, survived the ordeal.

“I have heard she is alive. I think she is OK,” Sawamatsu said.

She received the news before she defeated Mary Joe Fernandez on Monday, and spoke again with her family, which has been moving from place to place. She said her father’s company is attempting to find a new home for her parents, grandparents and younger brother.

“Each time I speak to them, I am getting the response that they are looking more positively,” Sawamatsu said.

“In the last few days, I have spoken with my family three or four times. I was wondering if that might upset my level of concentration, but it has not. In fact, I feel more relaxed and I’m happier.”

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Tim Gullikson was released from a Melbourne hospital and flew back to the United States today, after being hospitalized for three days because of a recurring heart problem.

He was accompanied by his twin brother, Tom, the U.S. Davis Cup captain.

Gullikson, who coaches Pete Sampras, collapsed after hitting balls with Sampras before the No. 1 seed’s second match last week. He was taken to a hospital here and underwent a series of tests for brain and heart function.

Gullikson has suffered three minor strokes in the past few months but has eschewed surgery in favor of taking blood-thinning medication.

Sampras visited Gullikson in the hospital while continuing to advance through the tournament. Other players showed their support for both Gullikson and Sampras during the week. Andre Agassi even taped a message on his racket bag hoping Gullikson might see it during the televised match.

After his brother’s condition was diagnosed as being congenital, Tom Gullikson reportedly underwent cardiac testing and was determined to be fine.