TENNIS ROUNDUP : Becker’s Serve Helps Him Get Past Korda

Defending champion Boris Becker used one of his greatest weapons--an overpowering serve--to break a one-year drought with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Petr Korda of the Czech Republic that gave the German the Muratti Time indoor title Sunday at Milan, Italy.

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Todd Martin defeated Brad Gilbert, 6-4, 7-5, in the final of the Kroger-St. Jude International tournament Sunday at Memphis, Tenn.

Martin, ranked ninth in the world, won his first title last May at Coral Springs, Fla., and then lost in four finals, including the Australian Open last month where he was defeated by Pete Sampras. Martin earned $110,500 Sunday.

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Natalia Zvereva of Belarus won the Virginia Slims of Chicago with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Chanda Rubin. Zvereva, 22, used a steady serve and a variety of shots, including a low-to-the ground slice backhand to offset the hard ground strokes of Rubin, 17.