Fanfare 2/9/03

Briefly

Skiing

As expected, an Austrian won the World Championship downhill. Only it was a relative unknown, instead of one of the country's Olympic or World Cup champions.

Michael Walchhofer upstaged all four of his more famous teammates Saturday, beating the heavy favorites to win the banner event of the championship for his first career victory.

The Americans, meanwhile, had little success. Bode Miller failed to keep up his medal streak, finishing a disappointing 16th. Jake Fiala was the top American finisher in 12th, marking the first time the United States did not win a medal in St. Moritz.

It was a different story for Walchhofer. He beat World Cup downhill and overall champion Stephan Eberharter, the winner of five downhill races this season.

Walchhofer also topped Olympic gold medalist Fritz Strobl and defending champion Hannese Trinkl, along with the masterful Hermann Maier, recently back from a motorcycle crash 18 months ago.

Soccer

Even without any holdovers from last year's World Cup roster, Argentina had enough talent Saturday to thoroughly frustrate the United States.

The Argentineans controlled play throughout, and a ninth-minute goal from Luis Gonzalez stood up for a 1-0 victory in an exhibition game at the Orange Bowl.

It was the first loss for the U.S. team in its last three meetings with Argentina, which leads the series 5-2.

The Americans had three corner kicks late in regulation, but none resulted in any serious chances against goalkeeper Sebastian Saja, who rarely was tested.

Tennis

Goran Ivanisevic played through arm pain Saturday to help Croatia come back and beat the United States in doubles for a 2-1 lead in the first round of the Davis Cup.

Ivanisevic and Ivan Ljubicic lost the first two sets against the U.S. team of James Blake and Mardy Fish, then constructed a remarkable rally to win 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-4.

Ljubicic and 2001 Wimbledon champion Ivanisevic embraced in a dance, each taking turns lifting the other off his feet.

Today, Ljubicic can clinch victory for Croatia in the best-of-five series by beating Blake in singles. If the American wins, Fish would play 18-year-old Mario Ancic to settle things.

Serena Williams beat eighth-seeded Eleni Daniilidou 6-2, 6-0 in 46 minutes Saturday to advance to the final of the Gaz de France Open.

Williams broke serve five times and lost just six points on her serve to advance to the tournament final for the third time. She sealed the victory by coming in behind a serve and hitting a forehand winner.

"I was real comfortable out on court today," Williams said. "And I served real well, as I have all week here."

Williams, who has won all 10 of her matches this season, including the Australian Open title, will face third-seeded Amelie Mauresmo, who beat Elena Dementieva 6-0, 6-0 in the other semifinal.

Mauresmo, the 2001 champion, reached the semifinals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year.

Williams won her first career title here in 1999, and lost to France's Nathalie Tauziat in the 2000 final when she was slowed by a knee injury.

-- From wire reports