Graf Uses Strong Serve to Reach Quarterfinals

Steffi Graf of West Germany used an overpowering serve to advance to the quarterfinals of the $300,000 Family Circle Magazine Cup tennis tournament Wednesday, routing Regina Rajchrtova of Czechoslovakia, 6-0, 6-2.

The match on clay courts lasted 40 minutes as Graf, the world’s top-ranked player, surrendered only nine points in seven service games.

In the fifth game of the first set, Graf, the tournament’s top-seeded player, served three consecutive aces. She also finished the match with nine service winners.

All the other seeded players in the tournament advanced Wednesday, including No. 5 Lori McNeil, No. 6 Helen Kelesi, No. 8 Hana Mandlikova and No. 9 Sandra Cecchini.

“I was playing much better,” said Graf, who got off to a slow start in her first match Tuesday. “I pretty much knew how to play and what to play and I really had the feeling for it.”

She said her serve is the most improved part of her game.

“Three aces in a row on clay courts is something special,” Graf said. “On the second serve, maybe I could try a little harder. Otherwise, my first serve is really good.

“I need to be a little bit patient and come in a little more. My return can get a little better. But my serve has gotten stronger.”

Friday, Graf will play the winner of today’s match between Radka Zrubakova of Czechoslovakia and Kelesi.

McNeil defeated Karen Schimper of South Africa, 6-3, 7-5.

McNeil, ranked No. 13 in the world, fell behind in the second set, 3-0, then won four consecutive games. The match was tied, 5-5, before McNeil won the last two games, losing only three points.

“Today’s match was good for me--the style that she plays,” McNeil said. “She hit a lot of high balls--a lot of high top spins--the kind of game that usually gives me trouble on clay.”

Mandlikova, of Australia, defeated Julie Halard of France, 6-4, 6-2, and Kelesi of Canada beat Andrea Temesvari of Hungary, 7-5, 6-2.

Cecchini of Italy held off Shaun Stafford, 6-0, 6-7, 6-3.