Becker Upset in Italian Open

ROME — Thierry Tulasne of France shocked third-seeded Boris Becker of West Germany 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) today in the first round of the Italian Open tennis championships.

Tulasne, ranked No. 67 in the world, upset the sixth-ranked Becker in one hour and 45 minutes on the center court of the Foro Italico. Becker, who prefers faster surfaces and never has won a major clay-court tournament, looked ill at ease on the slow red clay and committed many sloppy, unforced errors.