Blood streaming from a gash on the top of her head, Abby Wambach came off the field. For 10 minutes, the United States played short-handed while she got stitches.

North Korea didn't waste its chance.

The United States allowed a pair of goals while Wambach was off the field then rallied for a 2-2 tie yesterday in its opener at the Women's World Cup in Chengdu, China.

"When they scored right away as I went off I started to get worried," Wambach said. "So I started to run to the locker room to get stitches put in."

The top-ranked Americans extended their unbeaten streak to 47 games. The U.S. plays third-ranked Sweden Friday and Nigeria Tuesday.

"I think the U.S. is the best in the world, but today they didn't perform to their maximum," said Kim Kwang-min, coach of the fifth-ranked North Koreans.

Former Kahuku High and University of Hawai'i player Natasha Kai entered the game for the U.S. in the 91st minute (in extra time).

In other games, Sweden tied Nigeria, 1-1, in Group B and Japan tied England, 2-2, in Group A.

TENNIS

DAVENPORT WINS

Lindsay Davenport's first singles match in nearly a year was a winning one yesterday, an overpowering 6-2, 6-2 victory over fifth-seeded Eleni Daniilidou at the Bali Open in Nusa Dua, Indonesia.

Davenport played her last singles match in Beijing 51 weeks ago and then gave birth to son Jagger in June.

The former top-ranked player won a remarkable 20 straight points after trailing 1-2 to win the first set. She then gave up four points in the first four games of the second set en route to the easy win.

"It did exceed my expectations," Davenport said. "I know that I can play good tennis, and I know that if I stay healthy and play well, I can do well."

Davenport said it will take a while before she returns to top form.

"I'm still a little ways away," she said. "It's only been three months ... I still need to work on my movement around the court."

WNBA

SHOCK TAKE 2-1 LEAD

The Detroit Shock turned to an old hand to lead them to their biggest road victory of the season.

Nine-year league veteran Katie Smith scored 22 points, one shy of her career playoff high, to help the defending champions beat the cold-shooting Phoenix Mercury, 88-83, last night in Phoenix and take a 2-1 lead in the WNBA finals.

The Shock, who regrouped from a 28-point home loss in Game 2 on Saturday, can wrap up the best-of-five series and their third WNBA title since 2003 with a victory in Game 4 tomorrow in Phoenix.

Detroit took the lead for good in the game's first four minutes.