Philippoussis, Blake Receive Wild-Card Spots

Former champion Mark Philippoussis of Australia and James Blake are among those receiving wild-card spots into the Pacific Life Open, which starts next week at Indian Wells.

Philippoussis, who won the tournament in 1999, has struggled with injuries in the last year, as has Blake. Last week, at Scottsdale, Ariz., Philippoussis won his first match in eight months.

Also receiving wild cards were 16-year-old Donald Young, who won the Australian Open junior title in January, and Gael Monfils of France.

Those given wild cards into the women’s event were Sesil Karatantcheva of Bulgaria, Angela Haynes of Compton, Alexa Glatch of Newport Beach, Jamea Jackson, Jessica Kirkland and Viktoriya Kutuzova of Ukraine.

As expected, Jennifer Capriati withdrew from Indian Wells. Capriati had shoulder surgery in late January.

Main-draw action on the women’s side starts Wednesday, with the men beginning two days later.

*

-- Lisa Dillman