Tennis Roundup : Goldie Upsets Curren, Gains Quarterfinals

Dan Goldie moved into the quarterfinals of the $293,400 Transamerica Open tennis tournament Thursday, defeating seventh-seeded Kevin Curren, 7-6, 7-6.

Curren became the seventh of eight seeded players to be eliminated this week at San Francisco’s Cow Palace, leaving only top-seeded Ivan Lendl, who eliminated Jim Grabb, 7-5, 6-2.

Goldie, getting even for a loss to Curren last week in Los Angeles, fought off double set point in the first set and won four straight points to take the tiebreaker, 8-6.

He staved off another set point in the second set at 4-5, then won the tiebreaker, 7-4.

Goldie, who ranks 72nd, said he learned from last week’s loss how to play Curren.

“I thought I knew how he was going to hit the ball, and I felt I could really return his serve,” he said. “He didn’t hurt me with it.”

Curren, who ranks 29th, said he suffered from a lack of confidence and missed opportunities. Curren also had a first-set lead of 4-2, 40-15.

“You’re not going to beat guys on the pro tour if you let opportunities slip by,” he said. “My confidence level isn’t where I want it.”

At New Orleans, the top three players--Chris Evert, Zina Garrison and Lori McNeil--all advanced to the third round in a Virginia Slims tournament.

Evert, seeded No. 1, beat Barbara Gerken, 6-4, 6-1, in a match that began with Evert struggling through the first set.

“I should have tried to attack more in the first set before she got into a groove. That’s what she does,” Gerken said.

Garrison, seeded No. 2, beat Maria Lindstrom of Sweden, 7-6, 6-4, and McNeil, seeded No. 3, disposed of Heather Ludloff, 7-6, 6-2.