JUNE
Steffi, after missing the French Open, finally returns to the Corel WTA Tour at the DFS Classic in Birmingham, UK. Steffi says that she needs as much practice as possible before Wimbledon. Steffi receives a protected ranking of No. 3, making her the No. 1 seed in this event. After receiving a first round bye, Steffi begins her comeback by edging past her good friend, Rennae Stubbs of Australia, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4. Steffi then trounces Kristie Boogert 6-2, 6-4 in the 3rd round, and easily conquers 8th seeded Magui Serna of Spain, 6-4, 6-4, to reach the semifinals. However, the rains come down and Steffi is unable to celebrate her 29th birthday - the 14th June - with the 104th title of her career. Steffi trails Nathalie Tauziat, the 3rd seed, 0-3, before rain causes the officials to abandon the event.
RESULTS OF THE DFS CLASSIC(3-0)
ROUND |
OPPONENT |
SCORE |
RESULT |
| 2 | Rennae Stubbs | 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 | WON |
| 3 | Kristie Boogert | 6-2, 6-4 | WON |
| QF | Magui Serna(8) | 6-4, 6-4 | WON |
| SF | Nathalie Tauziat(3) | 0-3 | NO RESULT |
After her success in Birmingham, Steffi travels to Eastbourne to play in the Direct Line Insurance Championships. Steffi, seeded 2nd, behind eventual champion Jana Novotna, breezes into the quarterfinals with an easy victory over Sam Smith(who is no walkover - she reached the Round of 16 at Wimbledon), 6-1, 6-2. Steffi then faces teenage prodigy, Anna Kournikova, in the quarters. Steffi takes the first set 7-6, but loses the 2nd 3-6. In the 3rd set, Steffi displayed an unusual amount of emotion, as she recives bad line call after bad line call. Steffi is unable to concentrate further and she loses a fabulous match, filled with tension and great rallies, 7-6, 3-6, 4-6.
Frustration against Kournikova
RESULTS OF THE DIRECT LINE INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS(1-1)
ROUND |
OPPONENT |
SCORE |
RESULT |
| 2 | Samantha Smith | 6-1, 6-2 | WON |
| QF | Anna Kournikova(6) | 7-6(7-4), 3-6, 4-6 | LOST |
JUNE/JULY
WIMBLEDON
Steffi arrives at Wimbledon, feeling confident of playing, but she firmly says that winning is a long way off. Steffi opens her Wimbledon campaign on Centre Court, where, seeded 4th, she faces Gala Leon-Garcia. The match is very close until 4-4, and the Spaniard keeps Steffi on the run. However, when Steffi runs all over the court to prevent Leon-Garcia from taking a 5-4 lead, Steffi storms into the driver's seat. Steffi emerges as a comfortable victor - 6-4, 6-1.
Steffi next faces Henrieta Nagyova, a Slovakian who had taken out Amy Frazier in the first round. This is Steffi's first match on the new Court No. 1, and she rises to the occasion. Steffi breezes through the first set, 6-0, moving Nagyova all over the court. Steffi starts to make a few more errors in the 2nd set, but she comes through a 6-0, 6-4 winner.
Steffi's next opponent is Natasha Zvereva, a Belarussian that she has beaten 18 times in a row. However, when Steffi is broken in the first game of their Centre Court battle, it becomes apparent that Steffi might be in a bit of trouble. And so she is. Zvereva holds her advantage and runs away with the first set, 6-4. Steffi starts to play better in the second set, but, at 5-5, she is broken. Zvereva then serves out the match, saving two break points. This is a sad end to Steffi's Wimbledon, but it is encouraging to note that she continues to play - and play well, that is! Long live the queen of tennis!
WIMBLEDON RESULTS(2-1)
ROUND |
OPPONENT |
SCORE |
RESULT |
| 1 | Gala Leon-Garcia | 6-4, 6-1 | WON |
| 2 | Henrieta Nagyova | 6-0, 6-4 | WON |
| 3 | Natasha Zvereva | 4-6, 5-7 | LOST |