Graf Defeats Sabatini, 6-3, 6-2, in First Matchup Since U.S. Open
Top-seeded Steffi Graf overpowered Gabriela Sabatini, 6-3, 6-2, Sunday to win the European Indoor tournament for the fourth time.
The meeting was their first since Sabatini beat Graf to win the U.S. Open five weeks ago.
Graf, apparently recovered from a virus infection flare-up, used her powerful forehand to keep the second-seeded Sabatini at bay and improved her career record against the Argentine to 19-4.
“I planned to play aggressively from the start, and it succeeded surprisingly well,” Graf said.
Sabatini, playing less than 24 hours after a grueling three-set semifinal against Czechoslovakia’s Jana Novotna, got off to a slow start and never recovered. She offered little resistance after losing her serve twice in the second set to fall behind, 3-1.
Sabatini, fourth in the world rankings, had little chance to display her recent more aggressive style in the 74-minute match, and several net forays provided easy points for Graf.
Graf, the world’s top-ranked woman player, captured her 52nd victory in a Grand Prix tournament and a $70,000 first prize.
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