Masterkova Sets Women’s Mile Record

Svetlana Masterkova of Russia set a world record in the women’s mile Wednesday in 4 minutes 12.56 seconds, at the Weltklasse Grand Prix track and field meet at Zurich, Switzerland.

Masterkova, who won Olympic gold medals in the 800 and 1,500 meters in Atlanta, shattered the mark of 4:15.61 set in 1989 by Paula Ivan of Romania. Masterkova led all the way, beating runner-up Regina Jacobs of the United States by more than nine seconds.

The performance by Masterkova--who has the fastest times in the world this season in the 800 and 1,500--came in the first mile she has ever raced. It also came just 18 months after the birth of her first child.

“I knew when I was carrying the baby I wanted to get back to running--and I did in two months,” Masterkova said. “Before the race, I didn’t think I would run that fast. However, Ludmilla [Borisova, the pacemaker] did a perfect pacing job.”

Masterkova said the next record to go might be the 1,500 mark of 3:50.46 set in 1993 by Qu Yunxia of China. Her time at the 1,500-meter mark during the mile was 3:56.77, much better than her best of 3:59.30 in the 1,500.

“I think it is possible to break the 1,500-meter world record,” she said. “It’s only a question of time and perfect conditions.”

Jamaica’s Merlene Ottey--second in the Olympics to Gail Devers in the 100 meters--won in 10.95. Olympic bronze medalist Gwen Torrence was second in 10.96 and Devers third in 11.00.

In the men’s 100, Dennis Mitchell defeated Olympic champion and world-record holder Donovan Bailey of Canada in 10.04 into a light wind. Bailey was timed in 10.06. Linford Christie, the 1992 Olympic champion, was third, also in 10.06.

Tennis

Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek struggled before defeating feisty Luke Jensen, 6-3, 6-7 (7-5), 7-6 (7-2) in the second round of the Pilot Pen International at New Haven, Conn.

Second-seeded Goran Ivanisevic struggled early before defeating Javier Frana, 6-7 (7-4), 6-4, 7-5, in the second round of the $1-million RCA Championships at Indianapolis. Other winners included: No. 4-seeded Thomas Enqvist and No. 9 Stefan Edberg.

Pro Basketball

Dan Majerle, flying to Miami to sign with the Heat, apparently had a change of heart during an airport layover in Dallas and returned to Phoenix. Majerle’s agent, Curt Schoeppler, was in Miami and had reached an oral agreement with the Heat on Monday, the Miami Herald reported. However, Majerle seemed to have misgivings about joining Miami and returned to Phoenix on Tuesday.

Roy Rogers, one of Vancouver’s two first-round draft picks, signed a three-year contract with the Grizzlies.

Jurisprudence

The sexual harassment lawsuit against Clipper owner Donald Sterling will go to trial April 7. The trial in Los Angeles Superior Court will go before Judge Ronald Sohigian. Christine Jaksy claims she quit working for Sterling after he repeatedly offered her money to have sex with him, then asked her to recruit sexual partners.

The personal injury lawsuit against Deion Sanders of the Dallas Cowboys in Ohio was postponed until next week after his lawyer told the judge in the case that Sanders had “urgent personal family matters” to take care of. Sanders is being sued for $1 million by Riverfront Stadium security guard Herbert Kohus concerning a dispute after a Cincinnati Red game at the stadium in 1994.

An arrest warrant issued for Cincinnati Bengal defensive end John Copeland in a child-support case was canceled after Copeland’s lawyer, Ken Lawson, filed a motion requesting that the child-support judgment against Copeland be vacated.

Former middleweight boxing champion Michael Nunn of Agoura Hills faces several charges as a result of his arrest early Wednesday after a high-speed chase in Davenport, Iowa. Nunn was charged with reckless driving, attempting to elude police, interference with official acts and failure to have a driver’s license.

Miscellany

Athens, which made an unsuccessful bid for the 1996 Summer Olympics, made its official bid for the 2004 Games. Athens, site of the first modern games in 1896, is considered one of the top contenders for the 2004 Games along with Rome, Stockholm and Cape Town, South Africa. The winner will be selected in September 1997. . . . Steve Owens, a former Heisman Trophy winner at Oklahoma, was named athletic director for the Sooners.