41.   Two American seeds, Jim Courier and MaliVai Washington, lost straight-set matches Wednesday at the Italian Open clay court tournament.

42.   Unseeded Karol Kucera of Slovakia upset fourth seeded Sergi Bruguera of Spain Saturday to gain the semifinals in the Mercedes Open clay court tennis tournament.

43.   Half the eight seeds in action here Wednesday were bundled out of the million-dollar Mercedes Open clay court tournament.

44.   He reached only one quarter-final in eight clay court tournaments this season.

45.   Becker, who has never won a clay court tournament despite reaching the final in Monte Carlo, is the second match on court A.

46.   But he currently lacks confidence after winning only three matches in his first three clay court tournaments.

47.   Croatia were forced to pull out of the clay court tournament following the left shoulder injury of Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic.

48.   The Spanish Wimbledon champion, now working with new coach Carlos Kirmayr of Brazil, has been in tremendous form, winning her last four clay court tournaments.

49.   Paulus denied Martinez in her bid for a third consecutive title at this event, the first clay court tournament on the path to the French Open.

50.   The big-serving British born number two has already pulled out of clay court tournaments in Hamburg and Monte Carlo because of neck trouble.