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Novotna sends Graf packing
NEW YORK. Nov 22: Eighth seed Jana Novotna of Czechoslovakia served her way into the sem-ifinals of the Virginia Slims Championships by stunning Wimbledon champion Steffi Graf 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 on Thursday, reports Reuter. "It's unbelievable, it's so emotional to me 1 just can't believe it," said Novotna after crushing the second-seeded, two-time champion in the third set. Novotna, who had beaten Graf only once in 12 previous encounters, at this year's Australian Open, was brilliant from the service line, especially in the final set when she dropped just two points on her serve.
T was able to come back in the third set with a lot of great serves," said Novotna, who will face fourth-seeded, five-time champion Martina Navratilova In the semifinals. Earlier, Navratilova was able to do what Graf could not — rebound from a miserable first set
Navratilova kept alive her chance to break Chris Evert's record of 157 career titles this year by holding off fifth-seeded Spaniard Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 1-6. 6-4. 6-2.
"Arantxa was like a house on fire. I don't think I have ever lost a set that quickly." Navratilova said of the I fl-minute opening set. "1 have played worse In a set but I ran into a juggernaut."
Graf, who ends her year with seven titles including her third Wimbledon crown, was equally impressed with her opponent's quick start.
"She played awfully well. In the first set she had such a strong serve I could barely do anything."
"But I made too many forc-hand errors, especially when she was serving to my forehand. 1 missed so many of them," said the disappointed German.
Graf was far from her best, committing an uncharacteristic 37 unforced errors. But she did not give the match away
Novotna fully deserved the win that put the 23-ycar-oid Czechoslovak in the semifinals of the season-ending Championships for the first time In her career.
"Obviously I didn't play very well, but she rarely made any mistakes. You have to give credit to her," Graf said
"She s always had the talent to play very well. .. and she definitely Improved her serve."
Novotna quickly built a 4-1 first-set lead and held on for 6-3.
Graf came up with the lone break of the second set for 4-2 when Novotna made one of her few errors form the service line, double faulting at break point.
The former world number one tenaciously held onto that advantage to send the dramatic contest into a deciding act.
The expectation that Graf would return to form and control the set faded quickly when Novotna blasted an ace to hold her first serve at 15 and broke the German In the next game.
Novotna, this year's Australian Open runner-up, Just stcamrolled Graf after that, breaking her again in the fourth game for 4-0 and holding serve at love for a commanding 5-0 lead.
Graf then served a love game of her own. won with consecutive aces, to avoid ■ shut-out. but It was too Mttle. too late.
Novotna followed with yet another Jove game to end the one hour. 42 minute contest.
Like Graf, Navratilova won her second set by making one service break hold up. although she had to fight off a break point in the last game before sending the match Into a third set
Unlike Graf, however, the 35-ycar-old Navratilova maintained her momentum, displaying signs of her former dominance along the way.
Navratilova was quicker to the net than In the previous two sets and made her volleys count when she needed them lo reach the semifinals here for the 10th time In the last 13 years.