Connors Out of Gas--He Loses to Unseeded German

Jimmy Connors, the old warrior of men’s tennis, ran out of comebacks today at Wimbledon.

The 35-year-old American survived a match point in the fourth set but couldn’t hold out forever against the pounding shots of unseeded Patrick Kuhnen of West Germany, who advanced to his first Grand Slam quarterfinal with a 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3 victory.

It was the first five-set loss for Connors at Wimbledon since 1981. He had made it to the fourth round by coming back from a set behind to beat Derrick Rostagno in a five-set thriller last Saturday.

But today, the thrill belonged to Kuhnen, who finished the match--halted at 6-6 in the third set by rain and darkness Monday--with a running forehand crosscourt.

Evert, Navratilova Win

And another West German, two-time champion Boris Becker, eliminated unseeded Paul Annacone of the United States 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

In the women’s draw, the older generation advanced, as Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova won in straight sets.

On a day of rain that delayed the start of play by almost five hours, neither win was as easy as it looked.

Also winning in straight sets was top-seeded Steffi Graf, who beat unseeded Pascale Paradis of France 6-3, 6-1.

Shriver in Semifinals

And third-seeded Pam Shriver made the semifinals for the second year in a row, ousting Zina Garrison 6-4, 6-4.

Tim Mayotte, the 10th seed, made sure that there was at least one American man in the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 victory over seventh-seeded Henri Leconte, the French Open runner-up.

Navratilova, who seeks a record ninth Wimbledon singles title and seventh in a row, came back from a 2-4 deficit overnight in the first set to beat Larisa Savchenko of the Soviet Union 6-4, 6-2. The fourth-round match was suspended by rain Monday evening.

Evert, a three-time Wimbledon champ, beat Helena Sukova 6-3, 7-6 to make the semifinals for the fifth year in row. The 33-year-old American wrapped up the tiebreak 7-4 on a backhand passing shot and a service winner.