TENNIS : McEnroe Wins Easily; Chang Upsets Agassi

Displaying flashes of brilliance, John McEnroe began what could be his last big tournament by trouncing Nicklas Kulti of Sweden, 6-1, 6-4, at the $6-million Grand Slam Cup on Wednesday.

McEnroe, who has talked about retiring, stayed to watch Michael Chang stun Wimbledon champion and second-seeded Andre Agassi, 6-4, 6-2.

Michael Stich, the local favorite, produced another upset by ousting top-seeded Stefan Edberg, 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (7-4), 8-6. Stich broke Edberg for a 7-6 lead in the final set and converted his first match point when the Swede sent a forehand long.

“I won against a top player after a very long time,” Stich said. “It was very important to prove to myself that I can still win, to prove to all the people out there who had already counted me out.”

Third-seeded Pete Sampras, winner of the first Grand Slam Cup in 1990, became the third American to reach the quarterfinals by defeating Alexander Volkov, 6-3, 6-4.

McEnroe, 33, had a score to settle with Kulti, 21. The Swede, who was invited as a late replacement for injured Ivan Lendl, had beaten McEnroe in four sets in the first round of the French Open.

McEnroe gave him no chance Wednesday.

Screaming “yes” after winning decisive points and clenching his fist, McEnroe roared through the match in 1 hour 15 minutes.

Chang, last year’s runner-up here, broke Agassi to win the first set.

With Agassi facing a match point and serving to survive, Chang won the match with a spectacular forehand passing shot after running down an Agassi volley that hit the corner.