TENNIS / U.S. OPEN : Sanchez Vicario and Graf Advance, Will Meet in Semifinals

Top-seeded Steffi Graf turned up the power today to advance to the semifinals of the U.S. Open, where she do battle against No. 6 Arantxa Sanchez Vicario.

Graf defeated No. 12 Jana Novotna 6-3, 6-1, while Sanchez Vicario eliminated mistake-prone Zina Garrison, the No. 4 seed who was slowed by an ankle injury, 6-2, 6-2.

Friday’s other women’s semifinal was set Tuesday, when eighth-seeded Mary Joe Fernandez and No. 5 Gabriela Sabatini posted victories.

Garrison, whose game is based on speed, has been slowed by soreness in her right ankle. As a preventive measure, the ankle has been taped. But, during a mixed doubles match on Monday, the tape irritated her Achilles tendon and she has since been undergoing ice and electrical stimulation treatment.

Sanchez Vicario exploited Garrison’s impaired mobility, running her from side to side, then bringing her to the net with drop shots, only to lob over her head.

The Spaniard started the match by breaking Garrison’s first two service games and running up a 3-0 lead. Garrison then broke Sanchez Vicario and held to pull to 3-2 before Sanchez Vicario ripped through the next six games, closing out the first set and taking a 3-0 lead in the second.

Again Garrison fought back, winning two straight games. But it was much too little and way too late.

In workmanlike fashion, Graf never was in trouble against the No. 12 seed, even though she dropped her service to begin the match. After that, it was the West German who applied the pressure, either from the back court with her big forehand or by repeatedly taking the net.

“I didn’t have the best start, that’s for sure,” Graf said. “I don’t think I played too badly the second set. I played the right way. I came in when I needed to.

“I’m glad to get that match over.”

Graf, seeking her third consecutive title on the hard courts of the National Tennis Center, needed only 54 minutes to eliminate Novotna, one minute longer than Graf took to oust Jennifer Capriati in the fourth round.

“I had my chances early,” said the 13th-ranked Novotna. “I had the advantage for 3-0, but I was not able to handle it.”

“I think I’ll be playing Arantxa,” Graf correctly predicted before the second quarterfinal began. “She looks stronger than Zina. She’s more consistent. She’ll fight every point. She won’t give it to me.