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The Graf–Seles rivalry was a tennis rivalry between Steffi Graf and Monica Seles, who competed in 15 matches between 1989 and 1999. Seles, a left-handed player, demonstrated powerful and precise hitting from the baseline on both wings and an exceptional return of serve. Graf, in contrast, had a formidable forehand, in addition to her penetrating serve, first rate foot speed, and mostly sliced her backhand.
Their rivalry was especially notable for its change over time. Graf was dominant on tour in Seles' first years, then Seles was dominant at the Grand Slams winning three of the four matches they played between the ages of 17 and 19. During the period where Seles first reached the No. 1 spot in 1991, the head-to-head saw Graf leading 3–2, with all of their matches coming in tournament finals. In April 1993, the rivalry was temporarily halted when a fan of Graf stabbed Seles on-court, prompting her to take a hiatus after recovering. Graf won four of their five matches from 1995 onward.
Graf won eight of nine majors before Seles won her first. Seles surpassed Graf as the No. 1 player in March 1991, and won seven of nine grand slam titles during the period of 1991–1993. The two traded the number one ranking through the summer of 1991 before Seles consolidated her hold on the top spot. Graf in the end did recapture the No. 1 ranking from Seles in June 1993, after Seles was forced out of the sport due to her stabbing.
Notable matches
1992 French Open final: Seles made an excellent start, Graf recovered and saved six championship points before Seles won by 10–8 in the third set, to win her third consecutive French Open Singles title. This match was voted the best women's match of the 20th Century.
1992 Wimbledon final: Graf easily defeated Seles 6–2, 6–1, in a one-sided final. The match was notable for Seles refusing to grunt after massive media criticism of her grunting in the days before, and for constant rain delays during the second set.
1993 Australian Open final: A high quality final where Seles came from a set behind to defeat Graf and win her third consecutive Australian Open Women's Singles title.
1995 US Open final: The first post-stabbing match between Seles and Graf. Graf won a close final in three sets, despite losing the second set 0–6.
1996 US Open final: Graf won 7–5, 6–4, with Graf playing at the peak of her powers. The match was more one-sided than the scoreline suggested. The end of the match and the trophy ceremony saw pouring rain.
1998 Chase Championship quarterfinal: Graf recovered from a poor start to win a close match 1–6, 6–4, 6–4.
1999 Australian Open quarterfinal: Seles won 7–5, 6–1, and finished the match strongly, for her only post-stabbing victory over Graf.
1999 French Open semifinal: Graf defeated Seles in a three-set match after coming from a set behind. This was their last ever head-to-head match. Graf went on to win the title.
"Ten great tennis rivalries". The Independent. July 8, 2008. Retrieved 2010-12-08. Monica Seles v Steffi Graf. Time span: '89-99 (15 matches) Head to head: Graf 10 Seles 5 Grand Slam finals: Six; three wins each. Wimbledon: One,'92; Graf won.The greatest tribute we can pay to Monica Seles is that, take it as read, without that appalling injury inflicted by a lunatic we would have been treated to even more sensational battles than these girls gave us anyway. But she has never moaned about her fate. Steffi had the better of their rivalry overall but note that at the sharp end of Slams it was even. Monica's attack was epitomised by standing further inside the baseline than anyone else I can recall.
Steffi Graf
Monica Seles
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