Borg Gains Semifinals in Senior Event

Top-seeded Bjorn Borg of Sweden defeated Brian Teacher, 6-2, 6-0, Friday night to advance to the semifinals of the $100,000 Advanta Senior tennis tournament at the Los Angeles Tennis Club.

Borg, who defeated Roscoe Tanner to win the Advanta event three weeks ago in Chicago, is bidding for his second consecutive victory for the first time since he won two regular tour tournaments in 1981.

Borg, winner of 11 Grand Slam titles, including six French Open titles and five consecutive Wimbledon championships from 1976-80, retired for eight years before beginning a comeback two years ago.

Using powerful ground strokes, Borg, 36, was able to handle Teacher with little difficulty.

In another quarterfinal, Sandy Mayer was leading second-seeded John Lloyd, 4-6, 6-4, 5-4, when play was suspended because of rain.

Their match will be completed today.

The final will be played on Sunday, the winner earning $25,000.

Jimmy Connors said he signed a two-year contract to play for the Phoenix Smash of World TeamTennis.

Connors, 40, a five-time U.S. Open champion, played for the Los Angeles Strings during the 1991 and 1992 summer seasons.

The Strings announced that Borg, whose rivalry with Connors and John McEnroe dominated men’s tennis in the 1970s, would replace Connors on the team.

“Jimmy was great and we are sorry to see him go, but we’re confident Borg can lead the Strings back into the playoffs,” said Jeanie Buss, owner of the Strings.

Connors is in his third World TeamTennis season.