TENNIS ROUNDUP : Borg, Attempting Another Comeback, Loses, 7-5, 6-2

Bjorn Borg was beaten during the first round Tuesday as he launched another comeback attempt.

Olivier Delaitre of France beat Borg, 7-5, 6-2, in the Nice Open at Nice, France.

Delaitre, ranked 43rd in the world, controlled the action and the pace of a 78-minute match filled with unforced errors.

Borg, 35, was wearing his trademark headband but as soon as the players started, it was apparent that it was not the Borg of old. His serves lacked power, his shots lacked depth and the only points he seemed to win came on unforced errors by Delaitre.

Borg also attempted comebacks in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1991. All were short-lived.

But Borg indicated he was going to keep plugging.

“The important thing is to play points and matches in front of people again,” he said. “I still enjoy it and have fun but I need to play matches again.”

Jim Courier, who regained the top ranking last week, had to battle to beat Patrik Kuhnen of Germany, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, during the first round of the Salem Open at Hong Kong.

Michael Chang, seeded third, outlasted Canadian Grant Connell, 7-5, 6-4, and fourth-seeded Brad Gilbert staved off match point in the second set before defeating qualifier Neil Borwick of Australia, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Andre Agassi, seeded second, moved into the second round of the $235,000 USTA men’s clay-court championships at Tampa, Fla., by defeating Germany’s Karsten Braasch, 6-3, 6-3.