Victory sweet for Date as Japan prosper

Tennis

Kimiko Date was the toast of Tokyo yesterday when she overcame an injured left leg to beat Steffi Graf, the world No 1, 7-6, 3-6, 12-10 and help Japan reach the semi-finals in the world group of the Federation Cup.

A weary Graf went on to lose the deciding doubles with her partner Anke Huber, giving Japan a 3-2 victory over Germany. The fresher pair of Ai Sugiyama and Kyoko Nagatsuka beat them 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.