Lindsay Davenport vs. Steffi Graf Indian Wells 1998 SF

It was hard to beat Steffi. Every player knew that only playing beyond its limits could make a miracle. And it was no other situation. Lindsay played fabulous tennis, and Steffi tightened up to lose the first set. Steffi, however, won the second by playing some crazy shots, pushing Lindsay to run.
In the third set, at the changeover, at 2:3, Graf called for a tour trainer and had her leg wrapped. And she nearly won the next game, holding a breakpoint before Davenport won the final three points to hold serve, taking a 4-2 lead. But with Graf limping and unable to move, the end was inevitable.
Enjoy two arguments between Steffi and the umpire.
Steffi ❤
Enjoy!

[@emmanuelcannou2433]

Right up to the end of her career, Steffi was capable of upsetting or beating the best players she was still part of.

[@FlabbyTitmuss]

I wouldn’t really call any of Steffi’s wins in 99 ‘upsets’. Remember she was still just 29-30 years old and still in phenomenal shape, even if she wasn’t quite what she was from 95-96. But definitely some very impressive wins in her final year for sure.

[@GottdieEhre]

She retired as #3 of the WTA-ranking

[@dinomijatovic3921]

Still Davenport beat her here, at Masters that year and in Wimbledon’s final

[@jjackson59100]

@@FlabbyTitmuss You realize Steffi had reconstructive knee surgery in '97, right?

[@jayflo_g]

@@jjackson59100she had to learn to walk again. The surgeon didn’t even know if she’d be able to play again & she almost quit altogether in 98 because she kept getting injured trying to make a comeback from the knee surgery including during this match.

[@miragedesert8405]

Wow!! Lindsay, amazing ball striking!!

[@gregoryphillips3969]

Davenport was going to win this match no matter what. It was her day. When she overpowered Graf on that forehand to forehand rally, it was evident that something special was going to happen for Lindsey. Great ball striking and as l have pointed out many times the new generation of big hitters were going to have success going after Graf's slice only backhand side. Graf's main time was still tied to alot of old school type of players whose shots weren't quite as penetrating. Graf was such a great athlete she could run everything down. If she would have played longer more offense from the backhand side would have been required to stay at or near the top of women's tennis.

[@netfun8087]

Graf has consistently the meanest slice backhand I’ve ever seen. Davenport is a very good ball striker. Exceptional. When Graf beats her, Graf’s dropshot usually figures in quite a bit, as well as overall just moving Davenport around, because as good a ball striker as she is, her movement is not a strength. Seems like in this match Graf forgot about this fact and just fell into the hypnotic rhythm of baseline rallies with Davenport, and Davenport came out on top in many of those rallies. It’s a shame about the forfeit, but you can see the pain Graf’s in. Still it was a great match from two great champions.

[@tomschmitz-dj1fg]

If Davenport had more athleticism and mobility, she would have been even more incredible and unstoppable. This was her only weakness along with her ocassional negativity on the court.

[@olaraay]

this is indian wells 1998 ? thought graf didnt play until eastbourne 1998

[@darthfreund]

she did play too in Hannover and Indian Wells then in Eastbourne

[@geothermal7999]

That’s the kind of tennis you need to have to beat STEFFI THE GOAT.. Unfortunately, she came down with a muscle pull. Lindsay hung in there.

[@missk612]

Steffi here wasn't at her top shape, she had in this period lots of back ingiuries and ankle surgeries, otherwise davenport would not have had any chance, as all other players.

[@johnsmith-di2qm]

Davenport the always solid hitter, steffi calls in a trainer for her suspicious weak leg, never bothered her till she was losing, sorry Davenport deserved EVERY point she made

[@markdecena4559]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@hill4252]

Graf was clearly upset at having to retire, especially as she was trying to come off a long layoff. She very rarely retired from matches in her career

[@gk891]

Graf missed the entire claycourt season due to that injury.

[@wildfire1120]

She was clearly hurt , some people have no sympathy

[@zeddeka]

Troll comment

[@buddhismp.3264]

Graf in 1990 is justin in 2000🥱🥱🥱