Navratilova Rolls Into Finals

Martina Navratilova, playing with machine-like efficiency, needed just 52 minutes to cut down 16-year-old Steffi Graf, 6-2, 6-3, today and advance to the final of the U.S. Open for the fourth time in five years.

No. 11 seed Graf, playing Navratilova for the first time, was tentative at first and had difficulty with the second seed’s serve-and-volley game. Assessing her opponent, Navratilova said, “She’s really quick and has a very good forehand, but she did miss some shots. And overall, I played good tennis.” The defending champion will meet the winner of today’s other semifinal between Chris Evert Lloyd and Hana Mandlikova.