European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 01, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Saturday jur.e�?T1, 1991 �the1 stars and stripes French open by David Crary associated press writer Paris a Jimmy Connors withdrew in the fifth set of his dazzling match with Michael Chang at the French open Friday after the 38-year-old thrilled a Center court crowd with Brilliant and Gutsy play. A. Connors who was treated for a strained Back in the third set quit with the third round match tied two sets apiece a. A Quot v. Quot. Connors had earned repeated standing ovations As he battled hero icly for More than 3v2.half hours against a player half his age., a a a a. He won the first set 6-4, lost the next two 5-7, 2-6, came Back to win the fourth set 6-4 and took the first Point of the fifth set on changes serve before walking Over to the Umpire and saying a i just can t play any More a Chang seeded 10th, won the tournament As a 17-year-old in 1989. It is the Only Grid Jund slam title to elude Connors who str tossed most of the 1990 season. With injuries. A \ a. V. V a a a a a. Two of the menus favourites Boris Becker and Andre Agassi powered their Way into the fourth round with emphatic straight set victories. Former women a champions Steffi Graf and Arantha Sanchez Vicario also trounced Overn watched opponents leading a group of four seeded women into the final 16. There was one upset South africans. Elna re Inch ousted Lith seeded Katerina male Eva of Bui Garia 6-4,6-4. A -. A Becker the no 2 seed overwhelmed hard serving australian Wally Masur 63, 6-3, 6-2, in his first two founds Masur Hadnot dropped a set. Agassi the no 4 seed who lost in the final last year to Andres Gomez pounded out a 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 Victory Over Patrick Mcenroe. Known until this year primarily As a doubles player Mcenroe reached. The singles semifinals at the australian open in january but looked out of his Clement on Center court. This Clay court tournament is the one grand slam event Becker has never won w. Wow a it would be Good for Tennis if a could win the French open a said Becker. He told reporters the right thigh which troubled wednesday was much better. Beckers fourth round opponent will be Spain a Francisco Clavet a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 Winner Over Olivier Delaitre of France. Agassi next meets Alberti Steffi. Graf needed Only 46 minutes to dispatch american Shaun Stafford from the French open Friday. Mancini of Argentina. Seventh seeded Guy forget Frances top player advanced to a fourth round match with Chang by beating South african qualifier Marcos Ondruska 6-1, 64, 3-6, 6-3. Swiss Clay court specialist Jakob Hlasek Defeated Spain a Tomas Carbonell 7-6 9-74-6,6-4,6-3. A a Graf the no. 2 seed and two time _ tournament Winner needed Only 46 minutes to eliminate american Shaun Stafford 6-0, 6-1 Graf was a game away from a shutout but Stafford came alive to hold serve at love before Graf served out . \ a it Wasny to such a Tough match a Graf said. A when she hit Good shots i responded Well. I did no to give her much of a a. A Graf who last won the French open in 1988, said that four the first time in three years she was experiencing no allergy problems Here. Quot a a fifth seeded Satchez Vicaro the titlist Here two years ago also won efficiently 6-1, 6-1, Over Argentina a Betti a Fulco. Stafford is ranked 102nd in the world and Fulco 108th. Quo fourth seeded Mary Joe Fernandez had a Tough match but overcame Finland a Petra Thoren 6-4, 6-3. No. 13 Nathalie Tauz iat of France beat Hollands Nicole Jagerman 6-4, 6-0 in a match of unseeded women Japan a 18-year-old Naoko saw Matsu continued her bust Cvar tournament showing with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 Victory Oyer american Debbie Graham. The two top seeded players had Friday off and play their., third round matches saturday Monica Seles do fending her. 1990 title and her no. 1 ranking plays Frances Karine Quen Trec. A. A a a a a. A v a a a. A Seles met an opponent we p seemed Bent on self destruction Mariaan de Swart a 20-year-old.South african hit the Ball with tremendous Power but Little accuracy. A. A. De Swart committed eight double faults and pounded Many simple backhands Way out of Bounds. She lasted Only 56 minutes against Seles losing 60, 6-2. A a a a a _ a a i knew she would dictate the Points especially on her serve a said Seles who is trying to prevent Steffi Graf and Gabriela Sabatini from toppling her from the no. 1 women a ranking. Stefan Edburg who is trying to pro tet his no. 1 ranking from Becker faces a potentially difficult match against soviet Andrei Chesnokov. Asked we a t h c would d o t o p rep a re his Back for soviet Clay court specialist def Cert said he would continue his daily exercises. A you have to look after your body its the Only one you get a Edburg said a you can to go out and pick one out of the wardrobe.�?�. Of nil players mingle with airmen students by Meridith Winder . Bureau v Raf Lakenheath England three nil players have spent the past week devoting some of their off season time visiting air Force England Aryit showing their appreciation for the military a involve. Wont in desert storm. A a a a a a a a we just want to let them know we Are thinking Ayi Dhem a said Curtis Duncan a wide receiver for. Vine Houston oilers. A although we arc not physically Here every Day in the ., we Are thinking about .them.�?�. A. Accompanying Duncan were Raul Allegre a kicker malt to played for the new York giants but is now a free agent and Janice Pearson a cornerback with the Parisas City chiefs. They re found their visit demand Long As interesting. A a a a a a a a a Quot a a a. A it s been very educational and interesting a said Ala native of Mexico. A it s also been phys Cathy rough. Our biological clocks Are All messed up but a his has been a Good Opportunity Quot a Parson found his visit with the troops exciting. 7. Hiey seemed to by As excited to see us As. We. Were to see the things t hat they Dojk Pearson said a a they be been real receptive it was a. A a besides touring the units they Nolsch Ycint out to the schools to spread the a Fly a message concerning drug abuse and education. Quot a kids tend not to pay so much attention to people the Cyl think have to Tell them that done to use drugs and stay in school a Pearson said. A but younger people tend to look up to athletes a lot More and they take. What you say to heart a. Lot All three players think the world league of Ameri / can football is not Only increasing Peoples awareness i of american style football but also provides another venue for those interested in playing. A i think it gives potential n1l players an Opportunity to showcase their Talent Quot said Duncan a Detroit native. A the. New league is. A great league. You be got some Good players in it and you be got some great players there. That May be the Only Way that some players can get noticed.�?�,. V a. Allegre feels there Are a lot of Good players who done to get a Chance to develop their skills because they Are either sitting on the. Bench or on developmental squads. And when it Conics to the training Camps he feels the Olaf players i ii have a decided Edge Over those who had Only workouts. A the Olaf is a Good stepping Stone for Young players who otherwise get a Chance to gain a Peri Yonce and get the maturity they need to get into the nil a Allegre said. A i done to think the level of play will be the same As the nil but it is Good the Way they have it set up.�?�. Quot Pearson thinks it gives the Guys a Chance to play however he does no to feel they Are getting paid enough. A i done to think they Are compensated at what they should be compensated at a Pearson said. A i think everyone gets paid about the same about $20,000. That a no where near what they should be making. The league has Money. They Are backed by the nil they just done to want to spend it,.�?� _ n. Regardless of the pay Pearson thinks they will get players people want to play. None of the players seemed surprised that american style football is taking off around the world. R. A i believe Mexico will have a team before Longa Legre said. A a there a really a growing Public demand for american football in me Jetco i m not sure How other countries will accept it but i think there will be interest. The growth will be
