Garros

PARIS -- First he brought a decidedly overwhelmed Michael Chang, the grown-up version of the 17-year-old 1989 French Open champion, to his knees on the clay of Roland Garros; then Thomas Muster, the new and undisputed king of red clay, dropped onto his back and rubbed his eyes in disbelief after finally scaling and prevailing on the surface of his dreams."

PARIS -- Ivan Lendl said he supposes his game will come around again. But when?It didn't at the French Open on Friday, where Lendl lost in the second round to Jaime Oncins, a 21-year-old unheralded Brazilian.In Lendl's first appearance on the stadium court at Roland Garros Stadium since his memorable loss to Michael Chang in the 1989 fourth round, he squandered a chance to win in the fifth set and lost, 3-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 8-6. The match had been halted by rain Thursday with the deciding set tied, 5-5.Lendl's slide in the world ratings began on these red clay courts two years ago, when Chang, then 17, rallied from a two-sets-to-none eficit.

PARIS -- The fourth day of the French Open began a half-hour early yesterday because officials wanted to get a jump on a backlog of matches postponed by rain. Organizers, more optimistic than Paris weather forecasters, had hoped to complete 31 of the 32 men's second-round matches and 21 of the women's second-round matches.That was not counting the doubles play scheduled for Roland Garros Stadium, where, plans aside, it rained again, much to the dismay of French Federation tennis officials who are hoping to finish this Grand Slam tournament in two weeks.

NEW YORK -- Pete Sampras complained about the monke that was riding his back. He talked of winning the U.S. Open last year as a 19-year-old and of having his life change. He spoke of injuries and disappointments.And he was relieved.Yesterday, Sampras became just another beaten quarterfinalist at the U.S. Open. Pinned to the baseline, frustrated by his inability to club 120-mph serves, Sampras, the No. 6 seed, was taken out by No. 4 Jim Courier, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5)."Things might calm down a little bit now," Sampras said.

NEW YORK -- What a summer it has been for Jimmy Connors. And it is not over yet.Connors thrilled spectators at the French Open, got a thrill from the crowd at Wimbledon and literally received a bow from the U.S. Open fans in the wee hours yesterday morning.About 4,000 people remained from what started as a Stadium Court crowd of 19,842 on Tuesday night. Those willing to forgo sleep to see a man who turns 39 Monday could be talking about Connors' improbable 4-6, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 comeback victory over Patrick McEnroe for years to come.

PARIS -- Jimmy Connors lashed a backhand return for th break, and as he walked to his chair for the changeover, everyone at Stade Roland Garros stood up and roared.The noise didn't cease as Connors got up, poured water over his head to wash away the sweat and the tears, wrapped his face in a towel and returned to the court to serve out the fourth set against Michael Chang.Connors double-faulted to 15-30, but then ripped a forehand, and you could feel 17,000 hearts riding the ball into the open court.