Men advance in U.S. Open in methodical fashion.

Publication: South Florida Sun-Sentinel (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service)

Bookmark this article Print this article Link to this article Email this article Digg It! Add to del.icio.us RSS

COPYRIGHT 2000 South Florida Sun-Sentinal

Byline: Charles Bricker

NEW YORK _ While Venus Williams roared through a second straight opponent, looking every bit the favorite she is to win the U.S. Open, the men finished their first round Wednesday, still in search of the Alpha male for this final Grand Slam of the year.

All but one of the prime suspects is into the second round, but none of them have stirred the senses. None of them has sizzled.

With the sun ducking for cover most of the day behind a continuous flow of clouds, third-seeded Magnus Norman, No. 4 Pete Sampras, No. 6 Marat Safin, No. 10 Cedric Pioline and No. 15 Mark Philippoussis moved forward _ all of them leaving questions to ponder about their ability to seize the Open by the throat.

It's easy for the Williams...

Read the full article for free courtesy of your local library.