Dukes Are for Sale; Garrison Jackson Injured : Tennis: League executive says Lieberman is trying to sell team. Newport Beach beats Patton’s Idaho Sneakers but its star player is carried off the court.

NEWPORT BEACH —  The Newport Beach Dukes ruined the homecoming of former Dukes’ Coach Greg Patton by defeating Patton’s Idaho Sneakers, 27-21, Tuesday before about 2,200 at the John Wayne Tennis Club.

The victory was the Dukes’ fourth in a row, but it was tempered by an ankle injury to star player Zina Garrison Jackson, who was carried off the court during the second set. Garrison Jackson will be examined today to determine if she’ll be able to play on Thursday against the New Jersey Stars and Martina Navratilova.

The victory also came amid word that Dukes’ owner Fred Lieberman is trying to sell the team.

“He’s indicated that he wants to sell,” said Ilana Kloss, executive director of World TeamTennis, who was in town to watch the Dukes-Sneakers match.

Lieberman did not dispute Kloss’ comments.

“I’m looking into it,” he said. “This is extremely hard work for me 18 hours a day. It would be more of a lifestyle decision. I’ve got one kid and another one on the way. I’ll know more in August.”

Neither Lieberman nor Kloss would say if there was someone interested in purchasing the Newport Beach franchise.

Kloss said the WTT office and Lieberman have often had run-ins.

“He certainly stretches the envelope,” Kloss said. “But whether he’s good or bad, he took the risk with this franchise.”

If Lieberman decides to sell the team, Kloss said she doubts Newport Beach would lose the franchise.

“I am pretty sure we’ll have a team in this market,” Kloss said. “It’s too important for us.”

The WTT had two teams in Southern California until the Los Angeles Strings folded after last season. The Strings played their matches at the Forum.

“We don’t belong in arenas,” she said. “They’re too big for us. This is perfect for us.”

Kloss also indicated that Lieberman might not sell until he wins a WTT title. The Dukes have lost in the finals the last two years.

“I know Fred wants to win a championship,” she said. “He’s got a great team. Of all the teams I’ve seen, this seems like the best. If Zina can stay healthy.”

But even if Garrison Jackson’s ankle is fine, she is scheduled to miss at least two matches next week, one home and one away, while she plays for the United States in the Federation Cup tournament in Frankfurt, Germany.

Larisa Neiland, the Dukes’ other woman player, also will miss at least two matches next week as she will play in the Federation Cup for Latvia. Lieberman said Ann Grossman, Gigi Fernandez and Duke alternate Tami Whitlinger are possible replacements for Garrison Jackson and Neiland.

Garrison Jackson appeared to sprain her right ankle as she attempted to change direction while chasing a ball in a singles match with former Duke Amy Frazier. At the time, Garrison Jackson led Frazier, 5-4 and 15-0.

The loss of Garrison Jackson didn’t slow the Dukes’ attack as Neiland finished off Frazier by winning the game and giving Newport Beach a comfortable 12-7 lead after two sets. Trevor Kronemann and Kelly Jones extended the lead to 18-10 with a 6-3 victory over the Rick and Jon Leach of Laguna Beach.

Jon Leach then lost, 6-5, to Jones in a set that came down to a 4-4 tiebreaker in the last game. Rick Leach and Manon Bollegraf defeated Kronemann and Neiland, 6-2, to extend the match to a super tie-breaker, but Kronemann and Neiland ended it by winning the next game.

Idaho dropped to 1-4, but Patton isn’t worried.

“Two years ago, the Dukes were 0-4 and we went to the championship,” he said.