Steffi Graf v Gabriela Sabatini

The rivalry between Germany's Steffi Graf and Argentina's Gabriela Sabatini lasted over a decade, with the pair meeting on 40 occasions, Graf winning 29 matches and Sabatini 11 matches. Their first meeting came on the hard courts at the semi-final of the United Jersey with Graff winning in three sets, having lost the first. During Graf's dominance at the top of the woman's game it was Sabatini who caused the German problems with her loopy topspin and finesse shot-making. In 1988, Sabatini reached her first Grand Slam singles title at the US Open, where she faced Graf, who had won the previous three Grand Slams.Graf won the match 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to complete a calendar Grand Slam. Later in the year, Sabatini who was selected to represent Argentine in the Olympic Games in Seoul, advanced to the final where she once again faced Graf, with the German winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 to complete the "Golden Slam" as described by the media. Sabatini reached her second Grand slam final in 1990 at the US Open, where once again she faced Graf in a repeat of the 1988 final. This time, Sabatini beat Graf 6-2, 7-6 to win her first and only Grand Slam singles title. She also beat Graf in a semi-final of the WTA Tour Championships but lost the final to Monica Seles in the event's first ever five-set final 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. In 1991, Sabatini had a strong start to the year, winning five tournaments in the first half of the year. She reached her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, but was accused of choking to hand Graf the title. Sabatini lost in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 8-6 despite having two chances to serve for the match. During the year, Sabatini reached a career high ranking of world number three and came close to attaining the top spot, but was narrowly denied by Graf and then by Monica Seles. All three players rankings were within a few points of each for much of the year.