Capriati crashes out in first round

JENNIFER CAPRIATI became the first women’s defending champion in Australian Open history to be knocked out in the first round in a dramatic opening day upset yesterday.

Capriati was beaten in three sets by Germany’s Marlene Weingartner, the world number 90, losing a see-sawing encounter 2-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 in 1hr 49min on the Rod Laver Arena.

It was a sorry end for third seed Capriati. While praising Weingartner’s performance, she blamed her defeat on eye surgery she underwent during the off-season.