TENNIS : Connors, Graf Hurt as Open Nears

Jimmy Connors, who made it to the semifinals of the U.S. Open last year, and Steffi Grafare among those injured with the Open only four days away.

Connors, who will turn 40 next week, withdrew from the Hamlet Cup at Commack, N.Y., Wednesday night because of a strained left thigh suffered Monday night.

“I’m hoping I can play (in the Open),” the five-time Open champion said. “I won’t take my name out.”

Two-time Open champion Graf is battling a shoulder injury and virus infection.

“It’s been good for the past few days,” Graf said of her shoulder. “It’s an inflammation that comes and goes.”

The two top-ranked players in the world, Monica Seles and Jim Courier, were made the top seeded players for the Open.

Defending champion Stefan Edberg of Sweden, is seeded No. 2 in the men’s tournament, with defending champion Graf No. 2 among the women.

In other tennis: Defending champion Michael Stich was upset, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), by Andrei Olhovskiy of Russia in the second round of the OTB International at Schenectady, N.Y.