Calendar Is Getting Crowded

Two events in Southern California, running back to back, may make for a crowded tennis calendar in March. But for the Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells, congestion may not be such a bad thing.

Women’s qualifying at Indian Wells starts March 7, one day after the completion of the first-round Davis Cup matches between the United States and Croatia at the Home Depot Center.

“I believe we’ll help each other,” said Charlie Pasarell, tournament director of the Pacific Life Open. “Having the Davis Cup right before this event will help them and certainly makes it easer for the players playing in that. It just creates a lot of interest, and people start talking tennis.”

There is one major change at Indian Wells this year. The men’s final -- which had been best of three sets -- will move back to best of five. All of the top men are automatically entered, including defending champion Roger Federer of Switzerland, two-time champion Lleyton Hewitt of Australia, Andy Roddick, Australian Open champion Marat Safin of Russia and Andre Agassi.

Among the entrants in the women’s field are top-ranked Lindsay Davenport, Amelie Mauresmo of France, Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova of Russia, Jennifer Capriati and Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova, Elena Dementieva and Vera Zvonareva.

Among those not listed as entered are French Open champion Anastasia Myskina of Russia, defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium, Alicia Molik of Australia, and Venus and Serena Williams.

The first week of the tournament also features a two-day fundraiser, the Desert Smash, at the La Quinta Resort & Club, March 9-10, to benefit the Tim and Tom Gullikson foundation. Among those scheduled to participate are Pete Sampras, Todd Martin, Mardy Fish, Bob and Mike Bryan, and Capriati.