Graf Accepts Pierce’s Challenge as Fear Takes a Back Seat Today

Steffi Graf, 24, has won 15 Grand Slam tournaments, finished second seven times, is 42-1 this year and is seeking her fifth consecutive major title.

Mary Pierce, 19, has never reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam event, is 19-8 this year and has not won a set against Graf in two meetings.

So it was a bit strange that Graf was asked if she feared Pierce today in the semifinals of the French Open.

“I’m not scared about anything,” the top-ranked Graf replied.

Pierce, who has rolled into the semifinals on a blistering pace, losing a record-setting six games in five matches, offered a similar sentiment, saying: “I’m not afraid of nobody.”

But Pierce has not faced the likes of Graf during her Roland Garros run the last 10 days, and realizes her next assignment on Center Court will not be easy.

“I think for every single point of every game of every set you need to be mentally tough and in very good shape because she doesn’t make mistakes,” Pierce said.

“She plays very aggressive, and you just have to keep the ball deep and move really well to be well positioned when Steffi attacks.”

Graf is aware of the pressure of facing Pierce, who is playing for France, although she was born in Montreal and lives in Florida.

“She has all the shots to come up to the top,” Graf said.

Even against her?

“Well, that we will see.”

Today’s other semifinal will match Spain’s No. 2 Arantxa Sanchez Vicario and No. 3 Conchita Martinez, who are a contrast in development if not styles. Although both grew up in Catalonia, as did Sergi Bruguera, a men’s semifinalist here, Sanchez Vicario and Martinez took different paths to the top echelon of women’s tennis.

Sanchez Vicario, 22, was brought along by the Spanish Tennis Federation, whereas Martinez, 22, had to go to Switzerland to get the support she needed to develop her game.

Sanchez Vicario has had considerably more success. She won the 1989 French Open and reached Grand Slam event finals three other times. Martinez will be playing in her second semifinal after advancing that far at Wimbledon last year.

“It’s going to be a hard match because we know (Arantxa) is a fighter,” Martinez said. “If I can be patient . . . I think I have a chance.”