If Nothing Else, Chang Is Realist

Self-doubt, a rare emotion for Michael Chang, surfaced months ago when the former No. 2 in the world lost in the first round of a challenger at Tarzana.

“The low point of the low,” said Carl Chang, Michael’s older brother and coach.

There was no way Chang, 30, could have realized then that being beaten by Brian Vahaly was not humiliating.

Vahaly used the victory as a springboard, winning the event and earning a wild card at this year’s U.S. Open. Monday, he pushed James Blake before losing in the first round.

Chang also used that loss to his benefit. He changed rackets and started working harder than he had in the last year or so.

The effort and the lower expectations resulted in a calmer Chang, who won a match at the U.S. Open for the first time since 2000.

It was typical in that it was not swift. He needed 3 hours and 13 minutes to eliminate Francisco Clavet of Spain, 7-6 (6), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3).

“I don’t know if people expect me to win anymore,” said Chang, ranked No. 132. “Maybe my attitude has changed a little bit. If I’m able to go out and relax, I seem to play better tennis.”

This was only Chang’s second victory in a Grand Slam tournament in 2002, and he was enjoying it, realizing it could be a last stand for his generation.

“We’re definitely toward the twilight of our careers,” he said. “We want to give it our last good run, last good effort.”

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Youngsters Dinara Safina of Russia and Angelique Widjaja of Indonesia have been assigned extra baggage, that often-cumbersome label as player of the future. Safina, 16, is the younger sister of 2000 U.S. Open champion Marat Safin and won her first WTA tournament title this summer at Sopot, Poland, on clay. Widjaja, 17, carries stellar junior credentials--French Open champion, 2002, and Wimbledon champion, 2001.

The teenagers each took a step forward, winning a main-draw match at the Open for the first time. Widjaja defeated Anna Kournikova of Russia, 6-3, 6-0, in 44 minutes. Safina beat Rita Grande of Italy, 7-6 (5), 6-1.

Kournikova has lost in the first round at all four Grand Slam events this year.

The statistics were unique: Widjaja hit one winner, and Kournikova had 40 unforced errors, nearly an error a minute.

“I was just not there,” said Kournikova, who left the court to a chorus of jeers and boos. “I didn’t play well.”

Away from the spotlight, Safina, had a more difficult route on Court 8, fighting off two set points in the opening set defeating Grande. Safina, who still wears braces, has the same charismatic carriage as her older brother, as well as his two-handed backhand. Her second-round opponent will be top-seeded Serena Williams, but there does not appear to be an intimidation factor.

“I don’t have anything to lose,” Safina said. “I will fight. Maybe I will win one set.”