JULY

Steffi, not having played since Wimbledon, elects to play in the A&P Classic, an exhibition event which she has won 5 times before('86, '88, '89, '90, '94). Steffi is set to continue this winning run. She has not lost in this event, which takes place in Mahwah, New Jersey, since 1985. Steffi is meant to play against Mirjana Lucic in her quarterfinal, but Lucic withdraws, and is replaced by Mashona Washington, the younger sister of Malivai. Steffi starts out strong, building a 5-0 lead, before Washington holds serve. Steffi takes the first set, 6-1. Steffi makes a few more errors in the second but comes through 6-1, 6-4.

Having taken care of Washington, Steffi sets about beating Fang Li, China's top player. After a tough first set, in which Steffi makes numerous errors, she fights on and eventually grinds out a 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over an inspired opponent.

Next on Steffi's hitlist is Amanda Coetzer, the diminutive South African who has taken Steffi out in three of their last four encounters. This is a must-win for Steffi, as she needs a confidence boost. She sure gets it as she takes out the South African, 6-3, 6-3, closing it out with a trademark forehand winner.

ROUND	OPPONENT	SCORE	RESULT
QF	Mashona Washington	6-1, 6-4	WON
SF	Fang Li	2-6, 6-3, 6-3	WON
F	Amanda Coetzer	6-3, 6-3	WON

Steffi Graf makes her 3rd semifinal appearance of the year in the Bank of the West Classic, in Stanford, California. After receiving a first round bye, Steffi, the fourth seed, takes on Mary Joe Fernandez for the 15th time. And, for the 15th time, Steffi wins. Steffi has no trouble dispatching Fernandez, 6-4, 6-0.

In the quarterfinals, Steffi gets the opportunity to avenge her Wimbledon defeat. Steffi plays against 5th seeded, Natasha Zvereva, and dispatches her with consumate ease. Steffi emerges the victor for the 19th time in 20 meetings with Zvereva. Steffi breezes into the semifinals with a comprehensive, 6-1, 6-3 victory.

In the semifinals, Steffi loses the first set against top seeded Lindsay Davenport, 4-6, before storming into a 5-2 lead in the second. However, Davenport levels. Steffi does manage to level the match eventually, but she is spent, and by the time the score reaches 3-3 in the decider, she has come undone. Davenport emerges victorious for the third time in eight meetings with Steffi, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3.

ROUND	OPPONENT	SCORE	RESULT
2	Mary Joe Fernandez	6-4, 6-0	WON
QF	Natasha Zvereva(5)	6-1, 6-3	WON
SF	Lindsay Davenport(1)	4-6, 7-6(7-4), 3-6	LOST