Rios Loses to Meligeni in Final

Ferdinand Meligeni of Brazil upset Marcelo Rios of Chile, once the world’s No. 1-ranked tennis player, 5-7, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5), to win the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, then said he will reconsider his announcement to retire after 13 years on tour.

Rios also lost in doubles as Mexico’s Santiago Gonzalez and Alejandro Hernandez beat him and Adrian Garcia, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3.

Venezuela’s Milagros Sequera extended her run of victories over Americans by beating Sarah Taylor of Bradenton, Fla., 7-5, 4-6, 6-1, to win the women’s singles gold medal. Sequera also beat Carly Gullickson and Ansley Cargill on her way to the title.

Sequera, ranked No. 120 in the world, becomes the second straight Venezuelan to win the Pan American Games gold medal in women’s singles. Maria Vento also defeated three American women in succession to win in 1999.

In baseball, the United States defeated Mexico, 3-2, in 14 innings to advance to the gold medal game against Cuba, which beat Nicaragua, 2-1.

Seth Smith of the University of Mississippi scored the winning run in the top of the 14th on a sacrifice fly by Rice’s Paul Janish. Reliever Huston Street of Texas, normally a closer, pitched 8 2/3 innings to extend his scoreless-inning streak to 29.

Both U.S. softball teams remained undefeated. Lisa Fernandez of Long Beach pitched a five-inning no-hitter and struck out 10 as the women routed the Dominican Republic, 13-0. The men also beat the Dominican Republic, 11-2.

The world champion U.S. women beat Canada, 7-3, for the gold medal in water polo. Goalie Jackie Frank of Long Beach stopped nine of 12 shots and Canada hit the framework of the net four times early in the game.

The American men also won the gold medal with a 13-7 victory over Brazil. Tony Azevedo of Long Beach scored twice to finish with 33 goals to lead the tournament in scoring.

In racquetball, Jack Huczek of Rochester, Mich., defeated Mike Green of Canada, 15-12, 15-7, to win the gold medal. Rocky Carson of Mission Viejo, a semifinal loser, got a bronze medal.

In women’s play, the United States earned a gold when Cheryl Gudinas of Lisle, Ill., beat Laura Fenton of Overland Park, Kan., 11-15, 15-7, 11-5.

A 6-1 victory over Chile moved the U.S. women into the field hockey final against Argentina, which beat Uruguay, 7-0. The winner gains an automatic berth in the 2004 Olympics.

The Americans took a 5-0 lead and goalie Peggy Storrar wasn’t beaten until the 70th minute. They will play Argentina, which beat Uruguay, 7-0.