Top-seeded Michael Russell of Texas will play unseeded Grega Zemlja of Slovenia today in the final of the inaugural Honolulu Challenger, a $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit event being held at the Pasty T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park.

Russell and Zemlja played each other twice last year, with each winning once. Today's title match will follow the 11 a.m. doubles final between Kyu Tae Im and Martin Slanar against Kevin Anderson and Ryler Deheart.

Russell beat Donald Young, 7-6 (5), 3-0, yesterday in a semifinal match when Young retired after being down three games in the second set.

"After my first match, I went to eat and I sat down and my back was killing me," said Young, who completed a 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over No. 4 seed Robert Kendrick in the morning. "Then when I cooled off it went away."

At 5-6 in the first set, Young fought off four set points to take it to a tiebreak.

"He played aggressive and I thought I played a little too passive on those points," Russell said.

After winning the tiebreaker, Russell surged to a 3-0 lead before Young retired.

Zemlja advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over No. 5 seed Kevin Anderson.

TRACK AND FIELD

SADDLETON FOURTH

University of Hawai'i sophomore Sarah Saddleton placed fourth in the high jump yesterday in the New Mexico Invitational at Albuquerque, N.M.

Saddleton leaped 5 feet, 6 inches.

200 meters: 28, Jamilee Jimenez 27.13. 37, Sarah Rutsch 29.72. 400: 19, Ashlee Jimenez 1:02.11. 800: 14, Samantha Whitehall 2:26.28. 15, Mariana Monisi 2:26.52. Mile: 7, Jessica Forrester 5:19.82. 12, Tava Tedesco 5:33.81. High jump: 4, Sarah Saddleton 5-6. Long jump: 11, Madara Apine 17-7.50. 12, Jamilee Jimenez 16-9.25. 20, Samantha Balentine 14-11.25. 21, Sarah Rutsch 14-9.25. Shot put: 10, Careena Onosai 39-10. 15, TeRina Keenan 37-1.25. 25, Samantha Balentine 30-1. 26, Sarah Rutsch 28-5.50. Weight throw: 5, Emma MacCorquodale 53-6.50. 8, Anika Borden 49-4.25.