ROME — Serena Williams sailed through the first set in 27 minutes, then held off Jennifer Capriati Saturday to reach the final of the Italian Open.

        Williams outlasted Capriati 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 in 2 hours, 15 minutes to set up a rematch with Justine Henin in today's final. Last week, Williams lost a third-set tiebreaker to Henin in the German Open. Henin defeated fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters 7-5, 6-2.

        After losing her serve in the second set's final game, Williams regained control after falling behind 3-0 in the deciding set.

        Capriati took over the world's No. 1 ranking ahead of Venus Williams by reaching the semifinals.

        HINGIS SURGERY: Martina Hingis could be working out in three weeks and back on the court in three months after ankle surgery. Hingis is scheduled to have surgery Monday in Zurich to repair one torn and three loose ligaments in her left ankle.

        HAMBURG MASTERS: Marat Safin and Roger Federer advanced to the final. The sixth-seeded Safin was leading Tommy Robredo 6-2, 4-2 when the Spaniard retired because of “an irritation in the lower ankle joint.”

        “I had no chance beating him like this,” said Robredo, who had his right ankle taped during a changeover after seven games. Federer beat friend and frequent doubles partner Max Mirnyi 6-4, 6-4 in the other semifinal.

        Safin, who won in Hamburg in 2000, is assured of the No. 1 ranking in the Champions Race next week. Thomas Johansson, who lost in the second round, had held the top spot since he beat Safin in the Australian Open final.

        Federer, who has beaten Safin twice on clay, would fall one point short of the top ranking even if he were to beat Safin in the final.

        Safin rose to No. 1 when he won the 2000 U.S. Open but lost the top spot on the final day of the season to Gustavo Kuerten.

Sports Stories

Ashland ends NKU's bid 6-2 Buckeyes split with Gophers Former Navy great ponders past choices NKU women show in NCAA golf Ohio State to play Marshall in 2004 Two roundabout roads to success Cauthen hopes War Emblem wins Triple Crown Espinoza enjoys a smooth ride Preakness notebook Take the heat and keep going War Emblem wins Preakness Indy hopefuls want smooth road on Bump Day McWilliams family tree rooted in racing Newman cashes in at The Winston Price leads Colonial by 5 Serena meets Henin in Italian Open final World Cup lookin' up A peek inside the NBA draft lottery K-Mart will try to slow down Celtics' Pierce Lakers 106, Kings 99 McCarty's hat trick leads Wings past Avs NHL notes column Quinn hopes Leafs aren't too relaxed The Cup runneth all over the place Coming up this week Enquirer Page Two power rankings

Reds 7, Cards 3
Reds box, runs
Reds' final game tickets sell out in under an hour
Reds Q&A with John Fay
Say it ain't so
Armed for the long haul
Handicapping the NL Central race
Cinergy Countdown No. 27: Aug. 17, 2001
Clutch double ends Clark's 2-for-26 skid
Down on the farms
Pineda heats up in bullpen
Reds chatter
The week ahead
Durazo's big night shatters team records
Legislature approves Twins stadium bill
Prior's debut Wednesday at Wrigley Field
Selig says Brewers' bad season not hurting his crusade
John Fay's MLB Power Rankings
Louisville 4, Ottawa 1
NL roundup
AL roundup
Notes from Saturday's games
Bengals Q&A with Mark Curnutte
Football Hall is honored
Titans looking Freakier
DAUGHERTY: Kelly loved, and in turn, receives love
Taft baseball alive with Webb at reins
Fehr riddles Elder - again
Spring sparks Lebanon's rally over Oak Hills
Preps schedule
Saturday's results