Tennis Roundup : Becker Finding His Game on Grass

There’s something in the air, says Boris Becker.

Back in the land where he found sudden fame last year, Becker served nine aces Wednesday to rout Andrei Chesnokov of the Soviet Union, 6-4, 6-2, and reach the third round of the Queen’s grass court tournament at London.

An unknown a year ago before winning this grass-court event and then Wimbledon, Becker said he probably is better known in England than in his home country.

“I’ve won everything here,” said the 18-year-old West German, who has struggled a bit lately. “You can smell the grass. Everybody’s talking about it.

“I served much better today. I am confident. I know that when I serve like this, no one can beat me.”

American Glenn Layendecker, ranked 86th in the world, pulled the first upset of the tournament when he defeated No. 4-seeded Anders Jarryd, 7-6, 3-6, 6-1, in the windup of a first-round match that was halted by rain Tuesday. Layendecker is a third-year pro from Stanford.

In other second-round matches, top-seeded Jimmy Connors turned back Peter Fleming, 6-3, 6-2; Ramesh Krishnan of India eliminated No. 6-seeded Brad Gilbert, 7-5, 6-1; Robert Seguso downed No. 13-seeded Slobodan Zivojinovich of Yugoslavia, 6-4, 6-3; No. 3-seeded Stefan Edberg of Sweden beat South African Christo Steyn, 7-5, 6-4; Russell Simpson of New Zealand knocked off Brian Teacher, 6-4, 6-4, and No. 14-seeded Paul McNamee of Australia mowed down Jeremy Bates of Britain, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.

Connors is playing in his first official tournament since serving a 10-week suspension.

Pam Shriver survived a second-set tiebreaker to reach the third round of the $125,000 Priory grass court tournament with a 6-3, 7-6 victory over Patty Fendick at Edgbaston, England.

Shriver, 21, is top seeded and the defending champion.

In other matches, Etsuko Inoue of Japan surprised No. 5-seeded Joe Durie of Britain, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4; Australian teen-ager Jenny Byrne upset No. 12-seeded Susan Mascarin, 6-2, 7-5; Claudio Monteiro of Brazil ousted No. 13-seeded Debbie Spence, 6-4, 6-1; Anne Henrickson of Britain beat Robin White, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2, and South African qualifier eliminated No. 7-seeded Kate Gompert, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.

“It wasn’t what I’d call a good performance, but at least I held my serve for the whole match,” said Shriver.