NEWSWIRE

Tennis

Defending champion Albert Costa of Spain downed top-seeded Yevgeny Kafelnikov of Russia, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, and countryman Fernando Vicente beat Stefan Koubek of Austria, 6-4, 6-4, in the semifinals of the Generali Open at Kitzbuehel, Austria.

Motor Sports

Shawn McConnell of Brea won the four-lap scratch main of the speedway motorcycle racing event at the Orange County Fairgrounds in front of 6,131. Gary Hicks of Riverside finished second and Bobby Schwartz of Costa Mesa was third.

Miscellany

In the women’s sailing mistral class, Lanee Butler of Dana Point won the gold Saturday.

In baseball, Craig Paquette (Golden West College) hit a home run in a 5-2 victory over Panama to advance to today’s semifinal against Mexico. A victory today would clinch a berth in the 2000 Sydney Olympics for the United States.

In men’s water polo, Chris Humbert scored five goals to lead the U.S. past Cuba, 11-7, in the gold medal game Friday. The victory clinched a berth in the Sydney Games for the United States. Tony Azevedo (Long Beach Wilson High) and Chris Oeding (Corona del Mar High, California) each scored twice.