TENNIS ROUNDUP : Graf Wins, but It Isn’t That Easy

Steffi Graf survived an error-filled second set and a strong challenge by Katerina Maleeva of Bulgaria for a 6-1, 6-7 (8-6), 6-3 victory to win the $600,000 Canadian Open Sunday at Montreal.

“It wasn’t the easiest, but it feels good to win,” said the 21-year-old West German, who won her fifth title this year and her 49th overall.

Graf raced through the first set in 22 minutes, losing only 10 points, before light showers briefly delayed the start of the second set.

Maleeva was broken in the first game and fell behind 5-3 in the set, but she battled back to record her first break of the match in the 10th game for a 5-5 tie.

In the tiebreaker, Maleeva went up 6-3 and again broke Graf’s serve at 7-6 to take the 56-minute set, in which Graf committed 21 unforced errors.

In the final set, Graf took a 3-0 lead, then lost three games, and finally won the last three.

Argentina’s Martin Jaite took advantage of Libor Nemecek’s nervousness to defeat the 21-year-old Czechoslovak, 7-5, 6-2, and win the $200,000 U.S. Pro championships at Brookline, Mass.

Argentina’s Horacio de la Pena, ranked 191st in the world, upset Karel Novacek of Czechoslovakia, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), 2-6, 6-2, to win the $375,000 Austrian Open at Kitzbuehel.