FULL VERSION 1989 - Sanchez Vicario vs Graf - Roland Garros French Open

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Tournament Copyrights -
© 1989 Fédération Française de Tennis
© 1989 INA - Institut National de l'Audiovisuel
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Commentary Copyrights -
© 1989 NBCUniversal Media, LLC a subsidiary of Comcast (US).
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Rad to the Power of Cool Copyrights -
© 2022 PertSnergleman™ Channel
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PertSnergleman's Review:
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Spain’s Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario put an end to Steffi Graf's 5-in-a-row Grand Slam streak, upending the world’s top ranked woman tennis player in three sets to become (at the time) the youngest French Open champion in history.

Sanchez-Vicario, 17 years and five months old, defeated Graf 7-6 (8-6), 3-6, 7-5 to end the West German’s Grand Slam run and hand her only her second loss in the year.

“I went out on court at mentally 100 percent, thinking I could win,” said Sanchez, who had lost to Gral in straight sets in their three previous meetings. Sanchez displayed remarkable poise for someone so young. Trailing 5-3 in the third set and with Graf serving for the match, Sanchez kept the ball in play until the defending champion made some crucial mistakes.

Graf said she had some physical discomfort in the late stages of the match - she had to leave the court briefly between games - but she gave full credit to her young opponent. “She was Just plaving a great match," said Graf. "She was really playing some unbelievable shots, close to the lines, sometimes hitting the lines."

Graf was disappointed, however, with her own performance. “First of all, I shouldn't have lost the first set," she said. “I had my chances and I didn't use them at all today. I Just made too many mistakes. Just at the end I was weak."

"(I thought) It’s not me who is playing on the court at the moment, not putting pressure on. That’s not me.” Sanchez, who reached the quarterfinals of the French Open in 1987 and 1988, attacked Grafs backhand from the beginning and ran for every powerful forehand that the West German could fire at her.

“I'm very happy, it's a wonderful day for me." Sanchez said, on the verge of tears and covered in red clay from her victory leap. "I beat the No. 1 in the world, and I'm going to celebrate with my family.”

Gabriella Sabatini of Argentina is the only other player to defeat Graf this year. Prior to this match, Graf had lost only four sets all year.