Safin, Philippoussis Upset in Hong Kong

Russian Marat Safin and Australian Mark Philippoussis were upset in second-round tennis matches Thursday at the $400,000 Salem Open at Hong Kong.

Swede Magnus Larsson stunned second-seeded Safin, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4. German Rainer Schuettler ousted No. 5 Philippoussis, 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-3. Top-seeded Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero beat American Cecil Mamiit, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (3).

Larsson broke Safin only once, in the seventh game, to take the advantage in the deciding set.

Anna Kournikova had a setback in her slow comeback from a foot injury when she lost to Russian compatriot Anastasia Myskina, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, in the $565,000 Sparkassen Cup at Leipzig, Germany. Defending champion Kim Clijsters of Belgium cruised into the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-3 victory against Francesca Schiavona of Italy, but third-seeded Jelena Dokic of Yugoslavia lost to qualifier Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-0. ... Mariano Zabaleta beat top-seeded Alex Corretja, 6-4, 7-5, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the $400,000 ATP tournament at Palermo, Sicily.

Soccer

Qi Hong scored the only goal as China edged closer to the World Cup finals with a 1-0 road victory over United Arab Emirates in an Asian qualifier at Abu Dhabi.

An Ohio State soccer player who collapsed during a game at the University of Akron has died.

Connor Senn, an 18-year-old freshman, collapsed during the second half Wednesday night. Amy Myers, Ohio State’s team physician, said it appeared Senn had died of some type of heart problem, even though he had no history of coronary illness.

College Basketball

West Virginia point guard Tim Lyles, who started all 29 games for the Mountaineers last season, will probably sit out the 2001-02 season after tearing a ligament in his knee.

Billy Edelin, Syracuse’s top basketball recruit, is being investigated for sexually assaulting a female student during summer school. No charges have been filed and it was unclear when the investigation might be completed, Sgt. Joseph Sweeny said. ... Wisconsin freshman guard Latrell Fleming will not be able to play for the Badgers because of a recently diagnosed heart condition, university officials said.

Miscellany

Baseball hall of famer Juan Marichal hopes to help develop Little League pitcher Danny Almonte, whose team was stripped of its third-place World Series finish after officials determined his family lied about his age.

Marichal, who became vice president of the Dominican league team Pollos del Cibao on Wednesday, said he would like the team to sponsor Almonte--covering the costs for his meals and schooling and providing baseball coaching.

Mark Prior, the USC right-hander taken by the Chicago Cubs with the second pick in June’s amateur draft, is among five players selected as finalists for the Golden Spikes Award.

Middle Tennessee State right-hander Dewon Brazelton, Tennessee shortstop Chris Burke, Florida State outfielder John Ford-Griffin and Kent State outfielder John Vanbenschoten also were picked as finalists for the award, presented annually by the U.S. Baseball Federation to the top amateur player in the United States.