TENNIS ROUNDUP : Grabb Serves Up 6-3, 6-4 Win Over Lendl

When Jim Grabb is serving well, it doesn’t matter who is on the receiving end.

Jim Grabb, ranked 35th in the world, showed that Saturday when he defeated top-ranked Ivan Lendl, 6-3, 6-4, in the semifinals of the Volvo tournament at Chicago.

“When I’m serving well, I can beat anybody in the world,” Grabb said. “I’ve beaten (Mats) Wilander, (John) McEnroe and (Michael) Chang, and had a close call with (Stefan) Edberg, all great players.”

Grabb advances to today’s final against Chang, who beat Richey Reneberg, 7-6 (8-6), 0-6, 6-4.

Grabb played Lendl once before, losing at San Francisco in 1987.

“I feel I have a few more skills now,” said Grabb, who had nine aces. “I’m serving better, and I just felt better prepared this time.”

Monica Seles of Yugoslavia beat Rosalyn Fairbank-Nideffer, 6-3, 6-0, in the semifinals of the U.S. Women’s Hardcourt Championships at San Antonio.

Manuela Maleeva of Bulgaria reached today’s final by defeating Lori McNeil, 6-0, 6-4.

Defending champion West Germany won two matches to take a 2-1 lead over Argentina in a Davis Cup tie at Buenos Aires.

Carl-Uwe Steeb defeated Martin Jaite, 6-3, 6-7 (7-5), 6-4, 6-3, and Eric Jelen and Michael Stich beat Argentina’s Gustavo Luza and Javier Frana, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2.

Mark Kratzmann and Darren Cahill beat Kelly Everenden and Davis Lewis of New Zealand, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), to give Australia a 2-1 lead over New Zealand at Brisbane, Australia.