MAY

In early May, Steffi enters the Italian Open for the first time since her triumph in 1987. Steffi the No.1 seed, faces French woman, Alexia Dechaume-Balleret in the 2nd round. Steffi plays well in the first set, taking it 6-3. In the 2nd set, the French woman makes Steffi work hard, but Steffi eventually squeezes into the 3rd round 6-3, 7-6.

In the 3rd round, Steffi faces Paulo Suarez. Steffi plays alright, and she moves into a quarterfinal match with Hingis 6-2, 6-4.

In the quarterfinals, Steffi faces 15 year old Swiss star, Martina Hingis. Steffi plays very well in the first set, winning it 6-2 in just over 20 minutes. But Hingis suddenly comes alive, and she takes the second set by the same margin. With momentum on her side, Hingis takes the 3rd set and the match 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 to score her first and only victory to date over Steffi.

ROUND	OPPONENT	SCORE	RESULT
2	Alexia Dechaume-Balleret	6-3, 7-6	WON
3	Paulo Suarez	6-4, 6-2	WON
QF	Martina Hingis	6-2, 2-6, 3-6	LOST

Steffi Graf accepts a wildcard entry into the German Open in Berlin in order to get additional match practice for the French Open. Steffi, the top seed, has already triumphed 8 times in Berlin, her most recent loss being in the 1990 final against Monica Seles. In the 2nd round, Steffi faces American, Tami Whitlinger-Jones. Steffi has little trouble with the American, as she takes the first set convincingly, 6-2. In the second set, Steffi moves up a gear, and she zooms into the 3rd round, 6-1, 6-2. Later in the day, Steffi is presented with the German Sportsperson of the Year Award, 1995, an honour which brings tears to her eyes.

In the 3rd round, Steffi faces Indonesian, Yayuk Basuki. Steffi plays great tennis to take the first set 6-1. In the second, Steffi is just as dominant, and she moves steadily into the last eight, 6-2, 6-1.

In the quarterfinals, Steffi faces Nathalie Tauziat, a French woman who has never beaten Steffi. Their last meeting was at the 1995 US Open, when Steffi won a fairly routine 3rd round encounter, 6-3, 6-3. This time, Steffi begins like a bullet train. Steffi roars through the first set, winning it 6-1. In the 2nd, Tauziat makes one last attempt to derail Steffi, but it is unsuccessful, as Steffi moves into the semis, 6-1, 7-5.

In the semifinals, Steffi comes up against experienced clay-courter, Croatian, Iva Majoli. In the first set, both players play great tennis, but it is Steffi who eventually comes through, 7-5. In the second set, Majoli takes a beating, as Steffi wins 7-5, 6-1.

In the final, Steffi comes across little-known Slovakian, Karina Habsudova. Steffi seems to underestimate her opponent in the first set, as the Slovakian hits a stream of winners past the home girl. Eventually, Habsudova closes out the set 6-4. Steffi is not playing well, but she ups her game in the second set, and she wins it 6-2. The third set becomes quite a marathon, with Steffi having to fight hard to survive. Eventually, Steffi wins her 9th German Open title, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.

ROUND	OPPONENT	SCORE	RESULT
2	Tami Whitlinger-Jones	6-2, 6-1	WON
3	Yayuk Basuki	6-1, 6-2	WON
QF	Nathalie Tauziat	6-1, 7-5	WON
SF	Iva Majoli	7-5, 6-1	WON
F	Karina Habsudova	4-6, 6-2, 7-5	WON

Steffi, now motivated after her German Open victory, comes into Roland Garros as the strong favourite and top seed. Steffi opens the defense of her title on Court Central against Latvian, Larisa Neiland. Steffi has never lost to Neiland, and this is not about to be an exception. Steffi easily takes the first set. In the second, Steffi continues to play exceptionally good clay-court tennis, and she cruises into Round 2 for the loss of just 5 games - 6-3, 6-2.

In the 2nd round, Steffi comes across Australian, Nicole Bradtke(née Provis). Steffi has usually beaten the Australian, but Nicole had beaten Steffi in the 1993 Federation Cup. This time though, Steffi is not about to give her any chances. Steffi cruises through the first set, and soon she is in the Round of 32 - 6-2, 6-2.

Steffi's third round opponent is Petra Langrova, a qualifier. Steffi soon exposes her opponent's weaknesses and moves ahead 5-0. Langrova then injures herself and leaves the court for an injury break. During this time, Steffi entertains the crowd by hitting with a ballboy. When Langrova returns, it is only a matter of time before she is forced to retire. Steffi moves safely through to Round 4 - 6-0, 1-0 retd.

Steffi faces American, Mary Joe Fernandez. Steffi has often spoiled Fernandez's chances at the last hurdle, having beaten her in the 1990 Australian Open final, and in the 1993 French Open final. Fernandez is looking for revenge. But she doesn't find it in the first set, as Steffi steamrolls her 6-1. The second set, though, becomes a marathon battle, with Steffi eventually taking it on a tie-break. Steffi moves through, but not too convincingly, 6-1, 7-6.

In the quarterfinals, Steffi has a rematch with Iva Majoli. This time, as in Berlin, Steffi wins the first set. This time though, she wins it convincingly 6-3. The 2nd set is a one-sided affair, with Steffi easily trouncing Majoli 6-3, 6-1 to set up a replay of the 1995 semifinal against Conchita Martinez.

In the semifinals, Steffi, as she did in 1995, takes the first set against Martinez 6-3. Steffi continues to play outstanding tennis in the second set, and she moves into her 8th French Open final, 6-3, 6-1.

The ladie's French Open final of 1996 will be remembered for a long time to come. Steffi Graf faces Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in the 35th meeting between the two. Steffi has won 26 of these encounters, but they have always been close. Steffi, coming into the final on top form, takes the first set 6-3 by playing incredible tennis. In the second set, the tension mounts, and it is decided on a tie-breaker. Steffi takes a 4/1 lead in the 'breaker', but nerves suddenly overcome her, and the two players stand at one set a-piece. In the final set, Sanchez-Vicario takes an early advantage and takes a 4-2 lead. Sanchez-Vicario has points for a lead of 5-2, but Steffi saves them with resilient play. At 5-4, Sanchez-Vicario serves for the title. But Steffi turns her back and the two stay on serve until 6-6, when Steffi is broken again. Sanchez-Vicario once again serves for the match, but Steffi breaks her to love. Steffi is being forced to rely on her will, as all her shots have deserted her. At 9-8, Steffi pushes Sanchez-Vicario on to the defensive, and soon, at 30-40, Steffi has her first match point. Both players play very tentatively on match-point, until the Spaniard slams a backhand into the net and it is all over, 6-3, 6-7, 10-8. Steffi thus claims her 5th French Open title, and 19th Grand Slam singles title, passing Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova.

ROUND	OPPONENT	SCORE	RESULT
1	Larisa Neiland	6-3, 6-2	WON
2	Nicole Bradtke	6-2, 6-2	WON
3	Petra Langrova	6-0, 1-0 retd.	WON
4	Mary Joe Fernandez	6-1, 7-6	WON
QF	Iva Majoli	6-3, 6-1	WON
SF	Conchita Martinez	6-3, 6-1	WON
F	Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario	6-3, 6-7, 10-8	WON