Sweden took a 2-1 lead over Israel with a doubles victory Saturday in their best-of-five, opening-round Davis Cup matchup in Malmo, Sweden. Swedish duo of Simon Aspelin and Robert Lindstedt beat Amir Hadad and Andy Ram 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4. Baltic Hall again was virtually empty because Swedish authorities feared demonstrations and protests against the Israeli team and only about 300 guests watched. Israel completed a military offensive in the Gaza Strip back in January and about 100 demonstrators were either detained or arrested for rioting by police in Malmo Friday.

Israel and Sweden split their Davis Cup matches Friday at Malmo, Sweden on a day that was marred by demonstrators outside their Baltic Hall venue. 2002 Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson gave Sweden a 1-0 lead by beating Israeli Harel Levy, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 8-6. In the nightcap, Israel's

By Alastair Himmer BEIJING (Reuters) - Top seed Rafael Nadal gave himself a confidence-booster with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Taiwan's Wang Yeu-tzuoo in the first round of the China Open on Wednesday.

By Alastair Himmer BEIJING (Reuters) - Top seed Rafael Nadal gave himself a confidence-booster with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Taiwan's Wang Yeu-tzuoo in the first round of the China Open on Wednesday.