European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 25, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Stefan Kcal bar survived a five set final in 1990. Champions. Abc John Russell continued from Page i the draw. The Only Contention to might face could come. From Nemesis Brad Gilbert in the fourth round and possibly third seeded Ivan Lendl in the semis. Gilbert appears to be on a downward slide evidenced by his straight set loss to Becker in last years fourth round. A a.  Lendl s chances of capturing his first Wimbledon title diminish  passing year Lendl 31, first must contend with a second round clash with 20th-ranked David Wheaton. Another outside shot is France s Guy forget a proven Winner on carpet indoors but a loser 2-5 at Wimbledon. Edberg s half of the draw is full of question Marks. 0  Ivanisevic regain his Confidence and a reach the semifinals As he did last year # can French open Champ Jim courier live up to his fourth seed on grass. 0 Pete  never on a match at Wimbledon. 0-2. He lost in straight sets to Christo Van Rensburg last year. Will Sampras the talented Prodigy who won the . Open last year blast his Way through the Wimbledon draw Quot. A. A a. A a a 0 can Michael Stich win under pressure. A you would think no yes and maybe. A Ivanisevic lost in the second round at the French open last month to 53rd-ranked Paul Laarhuis in straight sets. The yugoslavian teen May get by with British players in the first two rounds but will possibly face real heat from. 1987 Wimbledon Champ Pat Cash or the american Jeff Tarango in the third Lound. -. Should Ivanisevic reach the fourth round it could set the stage for a  the Manchester open final last weekend when he beat Sampras in straight  is if Sampras can get by a second round showdown with upset specialist Derrick Rostagno. With a boost in Confidence from the Early rounds Sampras could provide the same fireworks he showed last be ii at Flushing Meadow n y. Courier like his Archenemy Agassi will learn the grass surface does no to set up the forehand winners As does Clay both players could reach the fourth round but won t Advance much further. A a. Such ranked sixth in the would. Reached tie semis at the French open without meeting a single seeded player. But the 22-year-old Gorman wields a valuable asset for Wimbledon a serve timed at 123 Mph. Unlike courier and Agassi Sticer faces heat from the. Opening toss the Winner of his first round match against Quot Dan Goldie faces  ,.who has twice reached the fourth round. A  16th-seeded John Mcenroe will make his final ,. But Lor a grand slam title.  in the first two rounds Tho Throe Tinie Champion could have a problem with France s relative unknown Guillaume Raoux if he beats the Frenchman Mcenroe will have Edberg wailing. The women a favourites grass does no to carry the Impact with the women players As it does with Menthe reason fewer women  a Seive and Volley game As with the men. But the grass Surace is precisely  French open Champ Arantha Sanchez Vicario won t present a fight for the Wimbledon Crown in four years at Wimbledon the spaniard has advanced past the first round Only once a reaching the quarters in 1989 look for Sutkova who has won imbed on a doubles Crown three times to Quot upset a Sanchez Vicario in the fourth a round. A Steffi Graf should reach Linal where Martina Navratilova will be too much. Past champions past champions i last 10 men s last 10 women a singles champions a a. Singles champions. 1981 John Mcenroe 1981 Chris Evert. 1982 Jimmy Connors 1982 Martina Navratilova 1983 John Mcenroe .1983 Martina. Navratilova. 1984 John Mcenroe. 1984 Martina Navratilova 1985 Boris Becker 1985 Martina Navratilova Kef of 1986 Boris Becker 1986 Martina Navratilova 1987 Pat Cash 1987 Martina Navratilova 1988 Stefan Edberg. 1988 Steffi Graf a 1989 Boris Becker. 1989 Steffi Graf 1990 Stefan Edberg. 1990 Martina Navratilova i a v a Martha p. Hernandez even at 38 by Bill Dwyre los Angeles times at 38, he is still the Young and the restless. In others his age the fire that Burns in his stomach would probably be indigestion. And if the rest of him hurts the hurts of increasing years his heart has yet to turn 25. His name is Jimmy Connors. Not James or Jim. Those Are names reserved for Guys in three piece suits with touches of Gray at the temples. Older Guys. No this is Jimmy the younger and he is Back at Wimbledon for a 19th try at the most coveted title in Tennis. He has won Here twice in 1974 and 1982, but he has never been one to rest on his laurels numerous though they May be. A that he is at Wimbledon is go Surprise but. That he is there in a uniform other than an Abc to Blue Blazer is a stunner. As recently As the last Day of May Connors was committed to being behind the microphone a not the Baseline at Wimbledon. He was struggling to make a comeback from a wrist injury that left him with an 0-3 record and a ranking in the 900s in 1990. His plan was to play a few tournaments in a Europe including the French open do. Television commentating at Wimbledon and keep working himself into shape for the . Open in september his favorite tournament and one he has won five times but then he beat Todd Witsken and Ronald. Agenor and had to Bow out against Michael Chang at the French open in Paris for Connors walking off after the Chang match to a standing ovation of 18,000 in a City a that loves americans the Way it loves taxes. A and traffic jams the thought of playing  this summer became a desire. A a a. A. Quot that was the most exciting time of Tennis. For me in a Long time maybe Ever. Connors said recently. Quot i   Agenor and the thought of maybe Wimbledon this year kind of came to me and then the Chang thing to play that kind of Tennis and get All those people rocking in the stands Well its a feeling like you just can f believe. A \. A Quot i Don t think Chang really knew what was going on really understood it a even after it was Over. One of my friends was sitting right near his parents and he said they did t get it either did  exactly Why this was grabbing the fans so much. Quot but even so i was Happy he was out there with me Happy that if i could t win somebody like Chang did. He is such a gentleman and his heart is so big Ive a ten. Said that if i had to pick somebody to play for my life it d be either Pancho a Onzain or John Mcenroe i think id throw Chui y. There  \ it is an overcast sunday june 16. Suburban Santa Barbara the Monk. Country club to be exact the Golts to Are Page ii b the stars and stripes tuesday june 25, 1991