Tennis: Rusedski could miss Bournemouth week

GREG RUSEDSKI, a quarter- finalist at the Samsung Open at the West Hants Club, Bourne-mouth, 12 months ago, is not among the entries for this year's tournament from 14 to 20 September, but he may still accept a wild card.

Rusedski, the British No 1, has made no definite plans about the Bournemouth week but may play, depending on how he fares at the US Open, which starts on Monday in New York.

Tim Henman is expected to defend his title at the Tashkent Open, Uzbekistan, the same week as Bournemouth, so the only direct British entry at the West Hants Club at present is Southampton's Chris Wilkinson.

There will be no lack of top players in Bournemouth, with Sergi Bruguera of Spain, the latest to announce he will be among the 32-strong field.

Three other Spaniards, Alberto Berasategui, Albert Costa and Felix Mantilla, will play while other talents include Sweden's Magnus Norman and American Vincent Spadea.

Lindsay Davenport, the top seed, will play Steffi Graf in the semi-finals of the Pilot Pen International in New Haven, Connecticut, after beating Germany's Anke Huber 6-3 6-3.

Davenport was playing her first match of the tournament having received a bye in the first round and a walkover in the second. "It wasn't a perfect match but it was good," said Davenport. "She's a tough player."

Graf, the No 4 seed, overwhelmed seventh seeded Amanda Coetzer, of South Africa, 6-3, 6-0.

In the other semi-final Jana Novotna, the second seed, meets Julie Halard- Decugis of France.