Brazil’s Kuerten Strengthens Bid for No. 1

Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil strengthened his bid to end the year at No. 1, defeating wild card Michael Llodra of France, 7-5, 7-6 (4), Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Lyon Grand Prix at Lyon, France.

The leader of the ATP Champions Race, the top-seeded Kuerten defeated his 20-year-old opponent to set up a quarterfinal match against Patrick Rafter of Australia.

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U.S. Open champion Marat Safin survived a tough first set to defeat Russian countryman Igor Kornienko, 7-6 (7), 6-1, in the first round of the St. Petersburg Open. . . . Top-seeded Martina Hingis of Switzerland won her 13th consecutive match since losing in the U.S. Open, defeating qualifier Elena Bovina of Russia, 6-4, 6-1, in the second round of the Advanta Championships at Villanova, Pa. Defending champion Lindsay Davenport had little trouble with fellow American Lisa Raymond, 6-2, 6-3. . . . Serena Williams, Mary Pierce and Anke Huber withdrew from the season-ending Chase Championships in New York because of injuries. Taking their place in next week’s 16-player singles field will be Sandrine Testud, Julie Halard-Decugis and Kim Clijsters.

Colleges

UCLA’s No. 1-ranked men’s water polo team is under investigation by the Pacific 10 Conference for its possible use of an ineligible player this season.

That player, senior Adam Wright, is one of the Bruins’ top playmakers and a critical part of the their national championship team last season.

At issue is Wright’s freshman year in 1996, one that he redshirted. According to a source, paperwork for a medical redshirt was never filed with the Pac-10 office after Wright was injured.