MARCH

Steffi then opts to play in the Evert Cup in Indian Wells, from March 5-15. Steffi has never lost in this event, having won the title in 1994 and 1996. Steffi, the No.3 seed, receives a first round bye, before facing Tamarine Tanasugarn in the 2nd round. Steffi plays well in the first set, but Tanasugarn keeps with her. Steffi eventually gets the first set, and then starts to dominate the 2nd. Steffi breezes into the 3rd round, 6-4, 6-0 in just 68 minutes.

In the 3rd round, Steffi faces Japanese player, Ai Sugiyama. Sugiyama, the 11th seed, is no match for the great German, as Steffi steams through the first set 6-0. In the second set, Steffi continues to dominate, and, in just 43 minutes, Steffi is in the quarterfinals, 6-0, 6-1.

In the quarterfinals, Steffi faces Belarussian, Natasha Zvereva, for the 18th time. And, for the 18th time, Steffi beats her. Steffi plays immaculate tennis as she takes the first set, 6-3. In the second, Steffi is simply devastating, as she smacks a forehand winner to win the match 6-3, 6-0.

In the semifinals, Steffi faces 2nd seeded Lindsay Davenport. Davenport, a resident of Southern California, is not given a heroe's welcome. Steffi though, is. The crowd is firmly behind Steffi as Davenport takes the first set 6-4. Steffi then fights to take the seond by an identical margin. In the final set, with Davenport leading 4-2, Steffi strains her hamstring and is forced to retire. Davenport triumphs 6-4, 4-6, 4-2 retd. Steffi is then forced to withdraw from the Lipton Championships due to her injury.

ROUND	OPPONENT	SCORE	RESULT
2	Tamarine Tanasugarn	6-4, 6-0	WON
3	Ai Sugiyama(11)	6-0, 6-1	WON
QF	Natasha Zvereva(15)	6-3, 6-0	WON
SF	Lindsay Davenport(2)	4-6, 6-4, 2-4 retd.	LOST

ROUND	OPPONENT	SCORE	RESULT
1	Kunce/Morariu	5-7, 7-6, 1-6	LOST

Steffi schedules herself to play in three exhibition events as well as the Fed Cup against Spain and the Corel WTA Tour event at Hamburg. However, Steffi fails to appear at any of these events, cancelling two German exhibitions against Coetzer, a South African exhibition tournament, as well as the Fed Cup and Hamburg. Steffi is unable to play any tennis during April, as she sees that her injury is more serious than previously thought.

May is probably the most troublesome month for Steffi thus far in 1998. Steffi is badly affected by periostitis, an inflammation of the membrane surrounding her ankle. This forces Steffi to withdraw from the Italian Open, the German Open, and, worst of all, the French Open. Steffi seriously considers retirement and tells FOCUS magazine that if she has one more injury before Wimbledon, she will retire. Fortunately, this does not happen.