Models add extra spice to tennis tournament

MADRID, Spain -- Fashion models replaced traditional ball boys in the biggest surprise Monday at the Madrid Masters, where expected winners included Albert Costa, Alex Corretja and Luis Horna.

Women in black tank tops and white, knee-length skirts chased errant shots during Costa's 6-2, 5-7, 7-5 victory over Irakli Labadze. Reportedly paid $1,100 for the week, the women were greeted by cheers and whistles at the Madrid Rockodrome indoor court.

The women are appearing in one televised match each day during the tournament.

"They did it very well. I didn't notice any difference," Costa said. "It's entertaining, and I like the idea that the tournament should do this."

He now faces top-seeded Tim Henman in the second round Wednesday.

"It'll be a very difficult," said Costa, the 2002 French Open champion. "We've played each other a lot. I've beat him; he's beat me. But he's in better form than I am. I'll go out with nothing to lose and under no pressure."

Also Monday, Corretja beat David Ferrer 7-5, 6-1, and Horna defeated Hicham Arazi 6-4, 7-5. Corretja next meets 16th-seeded Paradorn Srichaphan, while Horna must play defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero.

In other action, Olympic silver medalist Mardy Fish came back to beat Wimbledon semifinalist Mario Ancic 0-6, 6-4, 6-4, Robby Ginepri got past Juan Luis Tati Rascon 6-1, 6-4, Stefan Koubek beat Sjeng Schalken 6-4, 6-4, Robin Soderling eliminated Florian Mayer 6-3, 7-6 (2), and Antony Dupuis downed Agustin Calleri 6-4, 6-4.

The top three men in the rankings -- Roger Federer, Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt -- withdrew, but major champions Andre Agassi and Marat Safin are entered.

On Tuesday, Agassi will play Max Mirnyi, a 6-3, 7-6 (3) winner against David Sanchez.

Corretja blamed the withdrawals on the sport's hectic schedule.

"It's a shame that four or five of the best players are not here," he said. "My experience tells me that it's hard to keep up with the rhythm in the world of tennis. It's not human. You have to stop and rest.

"You have to be prepared to win the tournament, and if you're not, it's better not to go," he added.