European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 18, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Monday january 18,1993 sports the stars and stripes a Page s 1 on by Steve Wilstein Tennis writer Melbourne Australia its Jim courier weather at the australian open a 140 degrees Sun rays blasting through Ozone holes rubberized hard courts bouncing Back heat and sizzling soles and its another blown Opportunity for Andre Agassi at the years first grand slam event which begins today. Couriers no. 1 ranking is up for grabs. No. 2 Stefan Edberg or no. 3 Pete Sampras could take it away and no. 4 Boris Becker could come close if any of them capture the title Courie Juu a year ago. A this is the Start of the year a courier said. A we wipe the slate clean. We Start from scratch and we go. But in this heat on these courts so suited to couriers topspin style the Guy who might have had the Best shot at beating him decided not to show up. Agassi whose own heavy topspin shots quickness and endur Ance would be perfect for the australian had been scheduled to play Here for the first time after slopping it for years because it interfered with his Winter vacations. A. A week ago he was a focusing on Tennis in the United states his manager Bill Shelton said. There was no mention of illness to hint of a tickle in his Throat. A few Days later Agassi suddenly withdrew from the tournament claiming a Long suffering infection had developed into bronchitis Agassi a alleged ail mint real or contrived deprived the australian of one of its main attractions a especially with the absence of Semi retired John Mcenroe. More than that it showed that Agassi despite winning Wimbledon last year after skipping that championship for years still is not ready to make a serious bid for the top ranking. Players who Are serious about reaching no. 1 go to All the grand slams if they can walk and get out of bed. Also on the sidelines will be Goran Ivanisevic the tourneys fifth seed who was forced to withdraw sunday because of a foot stress fracture. No. 2 Stefan Edberg is Here fighting off a cold but doing All he can to reclaim the no 1 spot and the australian title he won . 3 Pete Sampras is Here playing through the pain of Shin splints trying to get rid of his australian Jinx. When he got on the plane to come Here he considered his bad Luck the last two years a i was thinking a i Hope this plane lands a a he said with a nervous smile. He played tuneup tournaments on his last two visits and each time left after a week because of injuries a first Shin splints then a shoulder injury. Missing the australian he Felt set him Back for several months both times. Ivan Lendl recovering from a Groin injury is Back going for his third australian title. Lendl used to thrive in these conditions donning his desert Cap and slogging around the court for hours until he left his Defeated foes in puddles of sweat. Courier has his own sartorial style going nowhere without his baseball Cap and his own Way of wearing Down opponents. If he plays the Way he did through the first half of 1992, no one is Likely to upset him. Just ask Sampras. A these courts realty respond Well to spin a Sampras said. Quot with his heavy forehand and his Good backhand he hits with a very heavy topspin a his shots penetrate deeply. Sas Abrams Andre Agassi seeking repeat championships Down under ii a Jim courier above right and Monica Seles below congratulations from Stefan Edberg following hts 1992 will be gunning for repeat titles in the australian open win. Seles shows the trophy she won by beating Mary to which gets under Way today. Above courier accepts Fernandez for her second straight title last  open a and its going to be very hot and there Are going to be some Long matches and courier is probably the fittest player on the tour and the hardest worker. So he s looking like the player to beat this  Monica Seles is always the player to beat on the women a Side. She a going for her third straight australian title and As the no. I seed has about As easy a draw to the semifinals As possible. No. 2 Steffi Graf and no. 3 Gabriela Sabatini probably Are the Only players who could upset Seles right now but if the weather stays hot it could throw off anyone. Jennifer Capriati seeded no. 7, is changing her style a Little going to the net More often and taking on handed volleys in Hopes of closing the Gap on the top players. Capriati 16, looks awkward at times As if unsure of where she ought to be but As she gains Confidence in her new strokes she could be a threat to win her first grand slam title. She made a big breakthrough at the olympics last summer winning the Gold but knows she can t often beat Seles or Graf by staying on the Baseline. Not coincidentally Seles also wants to develop her net game and become More of an All court player. �?o1 think it will make it a lot easier on us to play that Way a Capriati said. A Monica if she hits a great Baseline shot can end the Point so much sooner and easier if she came to the net instead of just hitting it Back and playing a rally again a a that a what i want to do. A a in a not like a net player but in a better its difficult to Start doing things you re not used to doing. In a not coming to the net on everything. You be got to do it sometimes and take your chances to get  taking chances usually is the key to becoming a Champion and reigning As no. 1. Seles and courier take their chances from the Baseline slugging for winners. Edberg and Sampras do it from the net. Agassi ranked no. 9, takes his chances on the court too but not often enough. No play no Points