PHILADELPHIA. Nov 10: Jennifer Capriati returned to tennis Wednesday night, looking much more

like a young phenomenon than a troubled schoolgirl who was busted for carrying marijuana, reports AP

Capriati was far from top form in losing to Anke Huber 6-4. 3-6, '6-1 in the first round of the 750,000 dollars Virginia Slims of Philadelphia, but her match marked an important step In an 18-year-old life that already is being rebuilt.

"I thought I played good." Capriati said. 'It was really

great to be out there-again "

The match was Capriati s first since she left the tour in September 1993 and went through months of personal and legal problems that many though* jeopardized her ca reer

Capriati pounded the same ground strokes that marie her a

winner, but with less consistency. Her serve topped out at 96 mph, but it was mostly ineffective against her 19-year-old German foe.

In the opening game. Capriati looked as If-she hadn't been away from the tour at all. She won the first point when Huber hit into the net and

broke Huber » serve moments later with a deep return that Huber waa unable to handte.

"She hit the ball well " Huber said She made a few mistake*. and Fm sure ah*11 get better in the next couple of months She played fine."

Ctprliti i groundstrokes were sound in the first two sets She was able to find corners and hit deep lore hands as is her trademark and stayed with Huber s poWWs for moot of the first set until the German won the final two games

Capriati won the first four games and took the second set when she rushed. to the net and returned a drop shot past Huber. She them tired in the final set '

Tm not In tip top shape." Capriati said. "She ran me around a lot.'

For Capriati, the match was not about winning and losing, but simply playing - escaping for 89 minutes from a troubled year to play the sport that made her a multimillionaire She returned to a life of gripping ar racket and. perhaps, the other way around.

1 had a lot of fun out there,' Capriati said. It was great to get back on the court It was nice "

Capriati had not played a tournament match since Aug 31. 1993. when she was eliminated by little-known Leila Meskhi in the first round of the US Open.

Capriati's return overshadowed unseeded Nathalie Tauziat of France, who upset top-seed and defending champion Conchita Martinez earlier on Wednesday 6-4. 6-4

Tauziat. who is ranked 39th defeated Ihe No 3-ranked Martinez, the defending Wimbledon champion, using a varied attack that included several well-timed net approaches.

"Conchita passes really well, so I waited for the good balls to do It. when I had the chance." Tauziat said. This is my last (singles) tournament of the year, and I'm playing the number-one seed so I have nothing to lose there. When 1 play my best tennis I feel I can beat anybody, and today I played one of my best matches of the year."

In another afternoon match. American Lindsay Davenport, seeded third, defeated Tami WhiUinger-Jones 7-5, 6-3.