Belgium leads U.S.

OSTEND, Belgium -- U.S. Open champion Kim Clijsters and late substitute Kirsten Flipkens gave Belgium a 2-0 lead over the United States in the Fed Cup semifinals Saturday.

Clijsters defeated Jamea Jackson 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in just under two hours, after Flipkens beat veteran Jill Craybas 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 on indoor hard courts. The world No. 2 Clijsters can give Belgium a place in September's final if she beats Craybas in the first reverse singles match today.

Clijsters failed to hold serve after leading 2-0 in the opening set. Unforced errors and wild play gave the 67th-ranked Jackson the early lead.

"It doesn't matter how I played, we lead 2-0," Clijsters said.

After dropping the first set, Clijsters regained her touch, and Jackson won three games the rest of the way.

Clijsters was the only top 50 player in the semifinal after both teams were hit by injury and withdrawals.

Justine Henin-Hardenne pulled out of the Belgian squad this week citing fatigue after losing in the Wimbledon final, while the United States was without Venus and Serena Williams and Lindsay Davenport.

In the other semifinal, Francesca Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta put Italy ahead 2-0 over five-time champion Spain. Spain last won the Fed Cup in 1998. Italy has never won a title.

HALL OF FAME: Philippoussis vs. Gimelstob in final

NEWPORT, R.I. -- Mark Philippoussis used his big serve to advance to the final of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, beating sixth-seeded Jurgen Melzer 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-0 in the semifinals Saturday.

Philippoussis, ranked No. 9 in the world in 2003 before falling out of the top 100 the past two years because of injuries, will face eighth-seeded Justin Gimelstob, a 6-1, 7-6 (4) winner over top-seeded Andy Murray. A top seed has never won the grass tournament in its 30-year history as a tour event.

Before the matches, Gabriela Sabatini, Patrick Rafter and Gianni Clerici were inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame during a center court ceremony.

SWEDISH OPEN: Davydenko

to face Robredo for title

BASTAD, Sweden -- Top-seeded Nikolay Davydenko defeated Agustin Calleri 6-3, 6-3 Saturday to reach the Swedish Open final, where he will face second-seeded Tommy Robredo.

The Spaniard rallied from 4-2 down in the third set to beat Finland's Jarkko Nieminen 3-6, 6-2, 6-4. Robredo lost three previous semifinals at the Swedish Open.

SWISS OPEN: Gasquet, Lopez advance to final

GSTAAD, Switzerland -- Richard Gasquet and Feliciano Lopez will meet in the final of the Swiss Open.

Gasquet defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 Saturday, and Lopez held off Marin Cilic of Croatia 7-6 (2), 6-7 (5), 6-3.

Bohannon bows in qualifier

CINCINNATI -- Sarasota's Jackie Bohannon lost 6-1, 6-2 to Tetiana Luzhanska of Ukraine in a qualifying match for the Western and Southern Financial Group Women's Open on Saturday.

Bohannon, 23, who grew up in Sarasota where she played and led Sarasota High to a state title, learned Thursday that she had been awarded a wild card into this weekend's qualifying tournament for the Cincinnati event.