Graf Says She’s Capable of Grand Slam No. 22

Three tough matches and a stomach illness have left Steffi Graf looking weary and hardly a picture of health ahead of the Australian Open title in Melbourne next week.

But the 29-year-old Graf, a winner of 21 Grand Slam titles, believes she has the game to worry the top seeds and the legs to carry her through seven rounds in a fortnight.

“I couldn’t ask for any more than where I am right now,” Graf said Friday, after losing 6-2, 7-5 to world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport at the Adidas International.

Graf scored tough three-set wins against Serena and Venus Williams on consecutive days before falling to Davenport in thesemis.

Davenport had too much class and accuracy but the loss was probably better for Graf than another three-setter and a final Saturday.

“It’s good that I’m not going to do anything tomorrow, I’ll relax and regain some energy, and I should be fine for the tournament,” said Graf.

While Graf rests, Davenport and No. 2 Martina Hingis will beat each other up for the Sydney title.

“It’s gone exceptionally well this week. Looking back a week ago I didn’t plan on playing and I’ve been in hard situations which have turned out well,” Graf said.

A week earlier she was forced out of the final of a Hong Kong exhibition tournament because of a stomach illness. She would not elaborate on the exact problem but it clearly affected her more than she acknowledged in Sydney.

“I’ve felt good about the way I was playing and the way I was getting through them,” Graf said. “And it’s a lot easier in Melbourne, rather than playing day after day here.”

Graf’s victories over the Williams sisters took all her fight as they tried to hammer her out of the tournament.

She is coming back after major knee and wrist surgery in the past two years and if she enjoys success in Melbourne, it would stem from her efforts late last year.

“I’ve pretty much beaten everybody in the last few tournaments and that gives me a good outlook for what’s coming,” Graf said.

She played Davenport five times last year for a 2-3 record, winning two of the last three. Graf won her only meeting against Hingis in 1998 and holds a 7-1 career advantage.

“She played very well to get to the semis and was probably a little worn out today,” Davenport said. “She can be unbelievable at times and when you’ve won 21 Grand Slams, you’ve got to count her as a favorite no matter what.

“I was just relieved to see her on the other side of the draw.”