THE SIDELINES : Fernandez Advances in Slims

Second-seeded Mary Joe Fernandez overcame a blister on her serving hand in beating Amy Frazier, 6-3, 6-4, in a quarterfinal match in the New England Virginia Slims tennis tournament today.

Fernandez, treated at a hospital for the problem this week, got the hand taped by a trainer early in the one-hour, 19-minute match.

“I’ve had the blister for about three months,” Fernandez said. “It bothers me on volleys when I have to grip the racket hard. It doesn’t bother me as much on serves because I hold it more loosely.”