Graf Storms Past Shriver, Will Meet Sukova in Florida Final

Steffi Graf of West Germany waited out a three-hour rain delay, then won six games in 19 minutes Saturday to beat Pam Shriver, 6-4, 6-3, in the semifinals of the $250,000 Virginia Slims of Florida tennis tournament.

Graf, seeded No. 2, will meet No. 4-seeded Helena Sukova of Czechoslovakia in today’s final. Sukova earlier defeated Gabriela Sabatini of Argentina, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

Graf, 17, took the first set, then Shriver, the No. 3 seed, appeared to gain some momentum and was up, 2-0, in the second set when the rains came. After the rain delay, Graf won six of the seven games.