Comeback complete
Graf defeats Novotna for Pilot Pen title
Posted: Saturday August 29, 1998 06:35 PM
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The Pilot Pen was Graf's ninth tournament of the year and the first time she reached the finals since May 1997 AP |
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut (AP) -- On the eve of her first final in more than a year, Steffi Graf tossed and turned, got three hours sleep, then got up on the right side of bed.
She continued her dominance over Wimbledon champ Jana Novotna, with an easy 6-4, 6-1 victory Saturday to earn the Pilot Pen International title.
"I don't know why I couldn't settle down. I was just awake forever," said Graf, who had not had to prepare for a final since May 1997.
Her last title came in May 1997 on the clay courts of Strasbourg. A month later she had surgery on her left knee. The Pilot Pen was her ninth tournament of the year and the first time she reached the finals.
Holding the trophy, she said, felt "awesome."
"It's been a long way, but it's special to be here right now, to be at this point," Graf said.
She nearly missed that moment.
After being bounced early in the Du Maurier last week, Graf planned to relax in Florida to rest up before Monday's U.S. Open. She was overruled when coach Heinz Gunthardt told her she needed more matches.
"I felt maybe I needed a few days off. Heinz didn't think so," she said. "And he was very right."
She returned Saturday to put on a dominating display of precision, power and quickness and carved up Novotna's athletic serve and volley game in one hour, seven minutes.
The winner of 21 Grand Slam titles, Graf kept Novotna off the net, scoring winners from both sides of the racket. She said her backhand was probably her most improved shot.
"It makes life a little easier. I didn't really make a lot of mistakes and felt I was controlling the points," Graf said.
It was the 31st meeting between the two and Graf holds a 27-4 advantage.
Novotna, the No. 2 seed, managed only nine points in the second set.
"She was really overpowering and played unbelievable tennis," said Novotna, who admitted being tired.
Novotna played in both the singles and doubles draw and competed until 10:30 p.m. Friday with partner Mariann Deswardt, of South Africa, in her doubles semifinal, which was suspended due to rain. Second-seeded in the double draw, Novotna and Deswardt lost in the final in straight sets to the top seeded French pair of Alexandra Fusai and Nathalie Tauziat.
"With her you have to be 100 percent sharp and extremely quick around the court she will just run you from one corner to another," said Novotna.
Graf reached the final with straight set wins over unseeded Henrieta Nagyova, No. 7 seed Amanda Coetzer and defending champ and top seed Lindsay Davenport. Davenport was riding a hot streak of three straight tournament wins when she ran into Graf's sharpened game.
Novotna, who will improve from third to second in the world on Monday, advanced to the title match in straight sets over three unseeded players, Chanda Rubin, Amelie Mauresmo and Julie Halard-Decugis.
Along the way to Saturday's title, Graf said she has picked up the much needed confidence going into the U.S. Open, where she still holds the longest winning streak.
Graf, who will break into the top 30 on Monday, hasn't lost at Flushing Meadows since the 1994 final against Arantxa Sanchez Vicario. Her 1996 win at the Open gave her 21 Grand Slam wins, second behind Margaret Court's record of 24.
"I have played some tough players and I am definitely feeling I am getting better and better right now," said Graf.
There was little disagreement from her latest conquest.
"Steffi was on top of her game," said Novotna.
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