Tennis: Williams recovers to scupper Graf

Tennis: Williams recovers to scupper Graf

With an ailing right knee heavily bandaged, the 17-year-old American Serena Williams fought back from a break down in the final set to win the Evert Cup at Indian Wells, California, last night, beating Steffi Graf 6-3 3-6 7-5, writes Ronald Atkin. Graf, who was chasing her 107th career title in her 135th final, looked a certain winner when she took a 2-0 lead at the start of the third set and, one game later, Williams needed lengthy treatment on a knee which had been bandaged from the start of the match. The injury was forgotten at the end, however, after a Graf forehand had sailed long, as Williams capered around the court, celebrating her 11th straight victory and her second title in succession. The win moves her up to 16th in the rankings and earns her pounds 125,000.