TENNIS : Lendl, Chang Reach Semifinals

Ivan Lendl and Michael Chang scored quarterfinal victories in the $6-million Grand Slam Cup on Thursday and will play each other in the semifinals.

Chang defeated Patrick McEnroe, 6-2, 6-4, and qualified for the semifinals for the second year in a row.

Lendl, getting stronger as the other top players falter, beat Jakob Hlasek, 7-6 (9-7), 6-3.

Of the four Grand Slam event winners, only Wimbledon champion Michael Stich is still alive in this tournament. He meets France Davis Cup star Guy Forget in one of today’s quarterfinals.

In the final quarterfinal today, American David Wheaton takes on Todd Woodbridge, the 20-year-old Australian who got into the elite field because of the absences of Boris Becker (virus) and Stefan Edberg (tendinitis in a knee).

Lendl and Chang meet in a best-of-five-sets semifinal Saturday.

“I have a big mountain to climb,” Chang said. “Ivan is always a tough customer. He doesn’t give you much. I have to mix my shots and play tough tennis.”

Lendl said Chang’s game was changing.

“He seems to be trying to attack more,” Lendl said. “I have to play many more shots. But that might be a big advantage for me because it helps to find a groove.”