Graf overpowers Evert

Press, 25 January 1988, Page 38

Graf overpowers Evert

NZPA-AAP Melbourne The West German, Steffi Graf, continued her domination of women’s tennis by overpowering veteran American Chris Evert to win the Australian Open, the first leg of the grand slam. The 18-year-old world No. 1 staved off a determined fightback from Evert winning 6-1, 7-6, in 75 minutes in a rain interrupted final at the National Tennis Centre. After three games of the opening set the players were forced off court by rain. The new centre’s retractable roof was closed and the match resumed under cover 90 minutes later, creating history as the first grand slam final de-

cided indoors. Evert, aged 33, later said she had trouble adjusting to the change of environment and “didn’t have the feel for the indoor court.” “The first three games we played I felt pretty good, I was energetic and into the match straight away,” she said. “Then we had the break and for nine games I didn’t have the feel for the indoor court. It was just a different environment. It’s the same for both of us but she handled it better than I did. “She told me afterwards she had had three weeks practice indoors which didn’t thrill me. “It was different from playing outdoors and it

took me a long time to adjust.” Graf, who has been in Melbourne for a month preparing for the Open, said winning was the best start to the year she could imagine. Results.— Women’s singles final: Steffi Graf (W. Germany) b Chris Evert (U.S.) 6-1, 7-6 (73). Men’s doubles final: Rick Leach-Jim Pugh (U.S.) b Jeremy Bates (U.K.)-Peter Lundgren (Sweden) 6-3, 6-2, 6-3. Mixed doubles final: Jana Novotna (Czechoslovakia)Jim Pugh (U.S.) b Martina Navratilova-Tim Gullikson (U.S.) 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. Women’s doubles final: Martina Navratilova-Pam Shriver (U.S.) b Chris Evert (U.S.)-Wendy Turnbull (Qld) 6-0, 7-5.