Belgium Takes Lead Over U.S.

U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters and late substitute Kirsten Flipkens gave Belgium a 2-0 lead over the United States in the Fed Cup semifinals Saturday at Ostend, Belgium.

Clijsters defeated Jamea Jackson, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1, after Flipkens beat Jill Craybas, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, on indoor hard courts. Clijsters can give Belgium a place in September’s final if she beats Craybas in the first reverse singles match today.

In the other semifinal, Francesca Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta gave Italy a 2-0 lead over five-time champion Spain at Zaragoza, Spain.

Mark Philippoussis used his big serve to advance to the final of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, defeating sixth-seeded Jurgen Melzer, 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-0, in the semifinals at Newport, R.I.

Philippoussis will face Justin Gimelstob, a 6-1, 7-6 (4) winner over top-seeded Andy Murray, in today’s final.

Gabriela Sabatini, Patrick Rafter and Italian journalist Gianni Clerici were enshrined in the Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport.

Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko defeated Agustin Calleri, 6-3, 6-3, to reach the Swedish Open final at Bastad, where he will face second-seeded Tommy Robredo, who beat fourth-seeded Jarkko Nieminen, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

Seventh-seeded Richard Gasquet and sixth-seeded Feliciano Lopez will meet in the final of the Swiss Open at Gstaad. Gasquet defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber, 6-1, 1-6, 6-2, and Lopez held off Marin Cilic, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (5), 6-3.

On-court coaching will be used on an experimental basis this summer by the WTA Tour at tournaments in New Haven, Conn., and Montreal. Under terms of the trial, players will be able to receive coaching once per set, in addition to breaks between sets.

Former No. 1-ranked Lindsay Davenport of Laguna Beach, who had been out since mid-March, withdrew from yet another tournament, which starts Monday in Palo Alto. An injured back has prevented Davenport from playing any events since losing to Martina Hingis in the fourth round at Indian Wells.

Hilary Barte of Newhall defeated Emma Murphy of Cork, Ireland, in the finals of the Acura Classic Opportunity Tournament at Rancho San Clemente Tennis & Fitness Club. Barte earned a spot in the qualifying tournament for the Acura Classic, which runs July 29-Aug. 6 at La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad.

-- Lisa Dillman

Thousand Oaks residents JT Sundling and Denis Lin are seeded second and fourth, respectively, in the boys’ 16 division of the U.S. Tennis Assn. National Clay Court Championships that run today through July 23 in Washington, D.C.

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HOCKEY

Bryzgalov: Ducks Seek to Deal Giguere

Ilya Bryzgalov says the Anaheim Ducks want him to be their first-choice netminder rather than veteran Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

“I got a call from the club, and they told me that they see me as their No. 1 goaltender,” the Russian told Sovietsky Sport newspaper. “They also want to trade Giguere, but no one wants him.”

Asked about his relationship with the Canadian, Bryzgalov said: “I don’t want to say anything about him, because we play on the same team and I can’t say anything bad about him.”

General Manager Brian Burke said his goaltender’s comments may have been misinterpreted.

“My first reaction is that this could be a language-barrier issue,” Burke said. “No one from our organization has told either goalie that they will be our No. 1 goalie, nor has anyone told them they will be traded.”

Burke said he has not actively shopped Bryzgalov or Giguere, though it is believed he has received offers for both. Giguere, 29, figured to be made expendable because of Bryzgalov’s performance in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but it appears his $4-million salary for 2006-07 is scaring off suitors. A restricted free agent, Bryzgalov remains unsigned. The 26-year-old has received a qualifying offer of $501,600.

“What I did tell each player was that since they both established themselves as No. 1 goalies in the league, we would listen to offers on either of them,” Burke said. “But I haven’t offered either to any team, period.”

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MISCELLANY

Bustos Powers U.S. Past China, 14-0

Crystl Bustos homered and drove in five runs as the United States routed China, 14-0, at the World Cup of Softball at Oklahoma City. The Americans (4-0), who have won all three Olympic softball gold medals, have outscored opponents, 43-1, in this year’s World Cup after losing twice in last year’s event. They’ll get a rematch today against Japan (3-0), which beat the U.S. in the final last year.

Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning, 36, says he intends to return to the team next season.

Washington Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan received a three-year contract extension. He has a 112-134 record in three seasons in Washington.

Kristine Lilly scored in the 92nd minute to lead the United States to a 3-2 victory over Sweden in a soccer exhibition at Blaine, Minn.

Barbaro remained in stable condition while being treated for a painful and often-fatal foot disease at Kennett Square, Pa.

The NCAA has completed a review of Simi Valley Stoneridge Prep and recertified the school’s academic standing. Without accreditation, students from high schools are ineligible to play NCAA-sanctioned sports and ineligible to accept scholarships from colleges.

Jason Lezak won the men’s 50-meter freestyle in the Janet Evans Invitational swim meet at USC.