Graf–Navratilova rivalry

Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova have met 18 times during their careers. Their overall head-to-head series currently stands at 9–9.[1], with Graf having a 4–2 record in Grand Slam finals and Navratilova having a 5-4 record in Grand Slam matches winning the last Grand Slam match between the two of them despite her age of 34 at that time. The US Open match in 1991 is considered by some as one of the best female matches ever . In 1991 Graf wanted to celebrate her 500th win and her fifth US Open final in a row, instead she was kicked from her number one spot by a 34 year old Navratilova displaying almost a faultless serve and volley game.

List of all matches

No. Date Tournament, Location Surface Round Winner Score
1. 1985 US Open, New York City Hard Semifinal Navratilova 6-2 6-3
2. 1985 Maybelline Classic, Florida Hard Final Navratilova 6-3 6-1
3. 1986 Virginia Slims Championships, New York City Carpet Semifinal Navratilova 6-2 6-2
4. 1986 German Open, Berlin Clay Final Graf 6-2 6-3
5. 1986 US Open , New York City Hard Semifinal Navratilova 6-1 6-7(3) 7-6(8)
6. 1986 Virginia Slims Championships, New York City Carpet Final Navratilova 7-6(3) 6-3, 6-1
7. 1987 Lipton International Players Championships, Florida Hard Semifinal[2] Graf 6-3 6-2
8. 1987 French Open, Paris Clay Final Graf 6-4 4-6 8-6
9. 1987 Wimbledon, London Grass Final Navratilova 7-5 6-3
10. 1987 US Open , New York City Hard Final Navratilova 7-6(4) 6-1
11. 1988 Wimbledon, London Grass Final Graf 5-7 6-2 6-1
12. 1989 Wimbledon, London Grass Final Graf 6-2 6-7(1) 6-1
13. 1989 US Open , New York City Hard Final Graf 3-6 7-5 6-1
14. 1989 Virginia Slims Championships, New York City Carpet Final Graf 6-4 7-5 2-6 6-2
15. 1991 US Open , New York City Hard Semifinal Navratilova 7-6(2) 6-7(6) 6-4
16. 1992 European Indoors, Zurich Carpet Final Graf 2-6 7-5 7-5
17. 1993 Tokyo (Pan Pacific), Tokyo Carpet Semifinal Navratilova 4-6 6-3 6-3
18. 1994 Tokyo (Pan Pacific), Tokyo Carpet Final Graf 6-2 6-4

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ten great tennis rivalries". The Independent. July 8, 2008. http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/ten-great-tennis-rivalries-1429447.html. Retrieved 2010-12-08. "Steffi Graf v Martina Navratilova Time span: '85-94 (19 matches) Head to head: Graf 9 Navratilova 9 Grand Slam matches: Navratilova won 5. Graf won four. Navratilova won the last Grand Slam match despite her age of 34 at that time. Grand Slam finals: Six; Graf won four. Navratilova won two. Wimbledon: Three finals, 1987, 1988, 1989; Graf won two, Navratilova one It is amazing how Graf won so much with just a slice backhand but she had such a powerful stature and that big forehand with no spin at all. This rivalry was based on the utter athleticism of both players and was pretty evenly matched for a long time." 
  2. ^ WTA Tour Archive from wtatennis.com, retrieved 13 March 2011