Connors, Becker Rally to Win at International Players Event

Jimmy Connors and Boris Becker rallied for victories Sunday at the International Players Championships.

Connors, 39, outlasted Tomas Carbonell of Spain, 6-7 (8-6), 6-2, 7-6 (7-0), and Becker beat Arnaud Boetsch of France, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.

John McEnroe had an easier time in his second-round match, sweeping past Sandon Stolle of Australia, 6-3, 6-4. McEnroe’s opponent today will be seventh-ranked Goran Ivanisevic, who won Sunday against Bernd Karbacher, 6-4, 6-1.

Second-ranked Stefan Edberg advanced when leg cramps forced qualifier Grant Stafford to retire leading at 7-5, 1-6, 1-0.

In women’s play, top-ranked Monica Seles won the first five games and beat Camille Benjamin, 6-1, 6-3. Fifth-seeded Jennifer Capriati eliminated Kristin Godridge, 6-3, 7-5.

Seles, the defending champion, earned her 13th consecutive victory at Key Biscayne and improved to 17-0 this year. Seles said she paced herself. “I don’t go after every ball or go 100% into every play, because I’ll have to do that from the fourth round on.”

All of the seeded players had received first-round byes.