TENNIS ROUNDUP : Stich Has Some Words for Connors

Jimmy Connors drew criticism from Michael Stich, the world’s No. 3 player, after Connors posted a 5-7, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 victory Thursday night in a tournament at Memphis, Tenn.

“He went over a fine line and he was being very unfair on the court,” said Stich, who was that Connors was continually allowed to talk to the crowd at crucial times.

“He talks to the crowd between your first and second serves and he talks to the crowd as you are preparing for your serve. If that’s his idea of winning. . . . I think it’s ridiculous what he’s doing.”

Connors next faces Aaron Krickstein, who routed Todd Woodbridge, 6-2, 6-2.

Second-seeded Martina Navratilova outlasted doubles partner Pam Shriver, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2), in Virginia Slims of Chicago quarterfinals Thursday night.

Earlier, top-seeded Steffi Graf, taking advantage of eight double faults, easily advanced to the semifinals by defeating Holland’s Manon Bollegraf, 6-2, 6-1.

Sixth-seeded Lori McNeil defeated Ginger Helgeson, 7-5 (6-7), 5-7, 6-2, and Amy Frazier beat Debbie Graham, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Top-ranked Jim Courier moved into the quarterfinals of the Donnay Indoor Championship with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Henri LeConte of France at Brussels, Belgium.

Second-ranked Stefan Edberg defeated Jan Siemerink of the Netherlands, 7-5, 6-2, fifth-ranked Boris Becker downed Patrick McEnroe, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1, and No. 11 Karel Novacek beat Eduardo Masso of Belgium, 6-4, 6-2.

Today, Courier meets Alexander Volkov of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Becker faces German Davis Cup teammate Carl Uwe-Steeb and Novacek plays Edberg.

Courier took the No. 1 ranking from Edberg last Saturday.