by Rod Hughes

Well, it’s not ALL about soccer in Costa Rica. Early January is the time for the Copa del Cafe (a clever name for a Costa Rican tourney). This year is the 44th edition of this showcase for young tennis talent and raises non-traditional interest at Costa Rica Country Club in Escazu, even if it does not fill huge stands as a Wimbleton or rivet the world’s attention.

This year, the early rounds sifted the wheat from the chaff in no uncertain terms, knocking out all the eight Costa Rican women entered, but Central American players usually have poor luck against world compeitition. For example Lucia Kavalova of Slavakia had little trouble disposing of Angela Navas of Costa Rica, 6-2, 6-1.

But most of the scores were lopsided in the women’s opener. (We’ll get you some of the men’s results later.) Britain’s Vicky Brook had no trouble with Alejandra Morales of Guatemala, 6-1, 6-0, France’s Amadine Hesse polished off Croatia’s Hana Tomljanovic 6=0, 6-1, Denmark’s Malou Ejdesgaard blasted by Brazil’s Jessica Brito 5-2, 6-1…Well you get the idea.

The matches are expected to tighten up as the path leads to the final rounds Saturday. At least they were short enough not to tire the spectators…