Graf Makes an Impression After Four-Month Absence

Steffi Graf, playing her first match in four months, rallied to beat Rennae Stubbs of Australia in three sets Wednesday in the DFS Classic grass-court tournament at Birmingham, England.

The former No. 1 player in the world recovered after losing the first set and outlasted Stubbs, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, in 1 hour 51 minutes.

Graf, who had a first-round bye, advanced to the third round in her bid to overcome her latest injury and get ready for Wimbledon. She had played only two tournaments since reconstructive surgery on her left knee a year ago, and recent comeback tries were postponed because of various injuries.

“I’ve been feeling good for the last few weeks,” Graf said. “Now I need matches and to play points, which I’ve not really done. With another 10 or 11 days I’ll get better and better and physically stronger.”

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The same players who gave the United States a first-round Davis Cup victory over Russia were picked to face Belgium in the quarterfinals next month at Indianapolis Tennis Center.

The selection of Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Todd Martin and Richey Reneberg was announced by team captain Tom Gullikson, who tried to get top-ranked Pete Sampras for the matches July 17-19.

“I want to play the guys who want to be there,” Gullikson said. “I did talk to Pete about playing and thought it would fit into his schedule, but I guess he felt he needed a break after Wimbledon and he declined the invitation.”

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Top-seeded Petr Korda of the Czech Republic was defeated in straight sets by Paul Haarhuis of the Netherlands at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany.

Haarhuis won, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, at the grass-court tuneup for Wimbledon. Korda said he still was under par because of his recent bout with flu.

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Rain washed out play at the Queen’s Club tournament in London, leaving a backlog of matches.

Because of the backlog and fan interest in a match between two Britons--second-seeded Greg Rusedski and seventh-seeded Tim Henman--Sampras will be relegated to a secondary court when--or if--play resumes today.

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Monica Seles will defend her singles title in the $450,000 Acura Classic at Manhattan Country Club in Manhattan Beach, Aug. 10-16.

Pro Football

Junior Seau failed to appear at the San Diego Chargers’ training camp for the second straight day, but the Pro Bowl linebacker hired a public-relations agency to issue a statement that he’s not unhappy about his contract and would cut short his vacation in Park City, Utah, and report today.

Starting cornerback Terrance Shaw, who was in camp Tuesday, also stayed away, apparently unhappy about his contract. His agent told the Chargers that Shaw was heading home to Texas.

Meanwhile, defensive end Chris Mims is back with the team. Mims, 27, spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Chargers before being released in 1997. He then signed a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins. Mims was a first-round pick of the Chargers in 1992. . . . Pro Bowl tight end Wesley Walls of the Carolina Panthers agreed to a contract extension through the 2001 season.

Miscellany

George Washington Coach Mike Jarvis has agreed in principle to take over the St. John’s basketball program. . . . The University of Louisville acknowledges violating nine NCAA regulations in its women’s volleyball and men’s basketball programs, but disputes some of the NCAA’s contentions of violations. . . . The British Olympic Assn. virtually ruled out a London bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics, hoping, instead, to aim for 2012. . . . Lawrence Gable, a member of the Harlem Wizards basketball team, died Monday shortly after collapsing from a heart attack during a performance at an elementary school in Freehold, N.J. He was 48.