Indian Wells Title Is Next Goal for New No. 1 Sanchez Vicario

Having overtaken Steffi Graf in the rankings, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario of Spain will attempt to win a title that the German won last year, as the State Farm Evert Cup begins today at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Indian Wells.

Sanchez Vicario moved up to No. 1 in this week’s rankings, supplanting Graf, who is taking the week off. Joining Sanchez Vicario in the main draw of the $400,000 event is Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez of Spain, who is seeded second. Other contenders are third-seeded Lindsay Davenport of Newport Beach, the highest-ranked American, fourth-seeded Natasha Zvereva of Belarus, one half of the best doubles team in the world, and fifth-seeded Naoko Sawamatsu of Japan.

Sawamatsu has been touring the wreckage of her family’s home, ruined in last month’s devastating earthquake in Kobe. The quake hit during the Australian Open and Sawamatsu spent an anxious few days with little news of her family or friends. Although its home was destroyed, Sawamatsu’s family escaped unharmed.

Others in the draw are Mary Joe Fernandez of Miami, Amy Frazier of Rochester Hills, Mich., and Australian Open semifinalist Marianne Werdel Witmeyer of Oceanside.

Meilen Tu of Northridge, who turned pro last year at age 16, has been accepted into the tournament as a wild card.

Matches begin at 10 a.m.