Tennis: Connors succumbs

Marc Rosset ended Jimmy Connors' victorious return to the men's tour yesterday as the No 4 seed beat the veteran American 7-6, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the Halle Open in Bonn.

Connors had more than lived up to organisers' hopes and his hefty appearance fee by getting through two rounds. But after he eventually lost the first set, Rosset's onslaught of 24 aces proved too much for him.

Another big server, the top seeded Yevgeny Kafelnikov, went out tamely 6-1, 7-6 to the unseeded Paul Haarhuis.

Michael Stich cruised past Richey Reneberg, 6-3, 6-4, despite his earlier complaints about the newly laid centre court turf

On a good day for the Dutch, Jacco Eltingh, also unseeded, put out Brett Steven 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 to set up a semi-final against Rosset.

n A slight doubt remains concerning Boris Becker's participation at Wimbledon. The third seed arrived in London yesterday after week in Germany, unable to practise while undergoing treatment for a strained right calf muscle. He hopes to practise at Wimbledon today.