MARCH

In March, Steffi returns to the tour in Indian Wells. Steffi enters the Evert Cup as the No. 1 seed, and, despite her three month absence, Steffi puts on a great show in her 2nd round match, beating Kristina Triska 6-0, 6-1. Steffi last won the Evert Cup in 1994, beating Coetzer in the final.

In the 3rd round, Steffi faces Julie Halard-Decugis. Steffi plays well, and takes the first set 6-3. In the 2nd set, the French woman begins to connect, but Steffi still manages to squeeze it out 6-3, 7-5.

In the quarterfinals, Steffi faces diminutive South African, Amanda Coetzer. The wind gives Steffi some problems in the first set, but she just manages to handle it and take the set 6-4. In the 2nd set, Steffi becomes more accustomed to the blustery wind, and she storms into the semifinals 6-4, 6-1.

In the semifinals, Steffi gets more than she bargained for against the 7th seeded Lindsay Davenport. The American, playing on home territory, plays devastatingly in the first set, and she eventually takes it in a tie-breaker. The second set also goes to a tie-break, and Steffi just hangs into the match, taking it 7/3. This night match takes on epic proportions as it crosses the 2 hour mark in the final set. Once again, the tennis is tense and good. Steffi moves ahead 4-1, but Davenport fights back to 4-5. However, eventually, Davenport puts a backhand into the net, and the match is Steffi's. Steffi moves into the final 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 in 2 hours and 47 minutes.

In the final, Steffi faces 2nd seeded Spaniard, Conchita Martinez. Both players play well, but eventually, Steffi comes through the first set in a 7/5 tie-breaker. In the second set, Steffi misses some chances before reaching another tie-break. Steffi falls behind 1-4, but then hits an ace and pumps herself to win the remaining points. Steffi wins her 96th career title, 7-6, 7-6.

ROUND	OPPONENT	SCORE	RESULT
2	Kristina Triska	6-0, 6-1	WON
3	Julie Halard-Decugis	6-3, 7-5	WON
QF	Amanda Coetzer	6-4, 6-1	WON
SF	Lindsay Davenport	6-7, 7-6, 6-4	WON
F	Conchita Martinez	7-6, 7-6	WON

Steffi Graf enters the Lipton Championships as the No. 1 seed. The Championships, played in Key Biscayne, Florida, have suited Steffi's game, and, consequently, she has already triumphed on four occasions, and for the last two years running. After a first round bye, Steffi opens her campaign against Sandra Cacic. Steffi plays well in the first set, taking it 6-1. In the second, Steffi battles a bit more, but soon she is in the 3rd round, 6-1, 7-5.

In the 3rd round, Steffi faces American, Gigi Fernandez. Fernandez had beaten Steffi in their previous meeting, so a lot is on the line. Steffi though, is impenetrable, as she cruises past Fernandez 6-3, 6-2 to meet the other Fernandez - Mary Joe - in the Round of 16.

In the 4th round, Steffi faces Mary Joe Fernandez, an American who has given Steffi many tough matches in the past. This is not to be one of those occasions. In a night match, Steffi plays incredible tennis and takes the first set 6-1. In the second, Steffi ups her game and trounces Fernandez 6-1, 6-0.

Steffi faces Japanese player, Kimiko Date in the last eight. Steffi beat Date in the 1995 final, but Date is now becoming accustomed to playing Steffi, and she is reading her game well. The Japanese player plays a great first set, but Steffi just nudges past her in a tie-break. In the second set, Steffi gets the hang of playing Date, and she moves into the semifinals 7-6, 6-3.

In the semifinals, Steffi once again plays Lindsay Davenport for a place in the final. This time, the battle does not take on epic proportions. Steffi takes the first set 6-4. In the second, Steffi is just as convincing, and she storms into the final, 6-4, 6-4, closing the match with an ace. As Davenport said after the match, "The better I played, the better Steffi got!"

In the final, Steffi faces up-and-coming American star, Chanda Rubin. Rubin has been showing impressive form of late, as she reached the Australian Open semis in January, losing to Seles in the penultimate round. Steffi gives her no chance in the first set, as she closes it out with a forehand winner, 6-1. The second set marks a slight improvement for Rubin, who is becoming increasingly desperate. Eventually, Rubin nets a forehand, and the match and the title is Steffi's - 6-1, 6-3. This is Steffi's 5th Lipton title, and 3rd in a row. Steffi is the first player ever to win this tournament 3 consecutive times, and she has done it in straight sets. The Lipton Championships are regarded as the fifth Grand Slam of tennis, so this is not an accomplishment to be undermined. This is Steffi's 97th career singles title.

ROUND	OPPONENT	SCORE	RESULT
2	Sandra Cacic	6-1, 7-5	WON
3	Gigi Fernandez	6-3, 6-2	WON
4	Mary Joe Fernandez	6-1, 6-0	WON
QF	Kimiko Date	7-6, 6-3	WON
SF	Lindsay Davenport	6-4, 6-4	WON
F	Chanda Rubin	6-1, 6-3	WON