Seles Too Tough for Novotna : U.S. Open: On verge of dropping first set in comeback, second-seeded player defies defeat with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 victory.

On the brink of dropping a set for the first time in her comeback, Monica Seles displayed the one trait that distinguishes her from all other players, that molded her into a champion, and that made her long absence so puzzling.

It was Seles’ utter refusal to be beaten, to give up under any circumstances, that marked her eight Grand Slam title runs more than her strokes or style or stamina.

And it was that toughness that was all the difference Wednesday between her and Jana Novotna.

Seles reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-2 victory over Novotna that turned on four pivotal points at the end of the first set when Novotna served with a 6-5, 40-15 lead.

The way Seles played those points, the grit she showed while under pressure for the first time in 10 matches over two tournaments, may also be pivotal when she plays Friday against Conchita Martinez, a 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 victory over Brenda Schultz-McCarthy.

In an even closer and much longer match, 1989 men’s champion Boris Becker reached the semifinals by surviving the longest duel of the tournament--4 hours, 7 minutes--against Patrick McEnroe, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (7-3), 7-6 (8-6). Becker closed out the match with his 30th ace, 25 more than McEnroe served.

“The fourth set was as tough a set as you can get,” Becker said. “It just didn’t seem to end. Something always would come up. Thank God, I kept my cool. I kept holding my serve, so at least I gave myself a chance every time. But it was very hard to stay calm out there.

“Unfortunately, I never had a chance to play John [McEnroe] here at the Open, but his younger brother gave me more than a handful. Every set was close. Every set was entertaining, and the crowd gave both of us a standing ovation almost after each point in the fourth set. I was very proud that I was part of such a match here.”

For McEnroe, the loss was an important lesson.

“What I learned,” he said, “is that when it gets to be crunch time against a guy like Becker, you’ve got to really go for your shots and not hold anything back, not just hope he misses, because he is not going to miss.”

Seles learned that lesson long ago, and when it was time for her to go for broke on key points, she didn’t hesitate.

“I thought Jana might choke,” Seles said. “I know she’s done it before, so I knew there was a chance.”

Going for her first set-point at 40-15, Novotna hit a hard, first serve that Seles ripped even harder with a forehand return down the line and into the corner for a winner. It was the kind of shot that leaves an audible thud hanging in the air, the kind that even Seles called “amazing.” In truth, no one who has seen her come up with such big shots before could have been completely amazed.

“I was so mad at myself,” she said, trying to explain why she slugged that ball so hard and took such a chance on set-point. “I just went, wow, hit it.”

That wowed the crowd and Novotna, who disconsolately stared at the spot where the ball landed.

Seles then upstaged that shot, ending a long rally by making a rare venture to the net and putting away her first volley.

Novotna called that volley “very gutsy.” Seles described it simply as “very nice.” For Seles, the best was yet to come. She reached break-point on the next rally when Novotna drove a forehand long.