Davenport’s Gold-Medal Effort Adds Sparkle to Tournament

Only time will tell how an Olympic gold medal will help the career of Lindsay Davenport, but it is helping the prestige of the Acura Classic that begins today in Manhattan Beach.

Initially thought of as only a nice addition to the draw, Davenport now carries the allure of an Olympic champion after wining the singles’ gold medal in Atlanta.

“It certainly adds prestige,” tournament director Jan Diamond said. “People want to see Olympic gold medalists.”

Tournament organizers recognize this, and Davenport, from Newport Beach, will be honored during a ceremony Monday night. Mary Joe Fernandez, who teamed with Gigi Fernandez to win the Olympic doubles’ gold, was also to be honored, but withdrew from the tournament Friday.

Her departure, coupled with that of fourth-seeded Jana Novotna on Saturday, forced a redo of the draw and lessened the glee of tournament organizers who have considered themselves blessed since Steffi Graf, the world’s co-ranked No. 1 player, announced she would play in the tournament at the Manhattan Country Club for the first time since 1987.

“Getting Steffi was wonderful and there has been a buzz since she announced she would play here,” Diamond said. “Then having a gold-medal winner, and then Friday was the icing.”

Friday, one-half an hour before the original draw was announced, Jennifer Capriati called and asked for a wild-card entry. It took all of one second to say yes.

That gives the tournament the best player in the world, an Olympic champion, and the WTA’s biggest mystery. In all, four of the world’s top 10 entered the $450,000 event: Graf, Anke Huber (No. 5), Davenport (No. 10), and ninth-ranked Kimiko Date.

The top half of the draw has Graf and Davenport, seeded fourth. The bottom half boasts second-seeded Huber and third-seeded Date, but also is generous to Capriati. She would have to face seventh-seeded Karina Habsudova in the second round but wouldn’t have to play Date until the quarterfinals.

Today’s play begins at 9 a.m. and the featured night match is teenager Venus Williams meeting Ludmila Richterova of the Czech Republic at 7 p.m.

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This Week at Manhattan Beach

* EVENT--Acura Classic.

* DATES--Today through Sunday.

* SITE--Manhattan Country Club.

* PURSE--$450,000.

* TICKETS--Today through Thursday: day $10, evening $16. Friday: day $15, evening $28. Saturday: day and evening, each $28. Sunday: $30. Purchase through Ticketmaster: (213) 480-3232. Other information: (310) 939-1333.