Novotna Wins Again As Graf Quits In Pain

Her back ailing, Steffi Graf called it quits after a set Sunday, giving Jana Novotna the title at the Advanta Championships in Villanova, Pa.

“I tried to practice in the morning,” Graf said. “It wasn’t possible, so I knew it would be difficult to get on the court and play.”

She lost the first set 6-4, then decided it was futile to continue. She said she would wait as long as possible before deciding whether to play in the season-ending Chase Championships, which begin today in New York.

Graf’s back began to bother her during Saturday’s win over Marianne Werdel Witmeyer. She tried chiropractic treatment, anti-inflammatory medication and a massage Saturday, but it wasn’t enough.

No matter what, she said, a break from tennis isn’t the answer. Her doctors have told her that playing every day will strengthen her back and ease her pain.

Novotna beat Graf for just the fourth time, won her third straight title and moved up to No. 3 in the world.

Australians Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, the world’s No. 1-ranked doubles team, solidified that standing with a victory in the title match of The Phoenix ATP Tour World Doubles Championship at Hartford, Conn.

Woodbridge and Woodforde beat Texan Alex O’Brien and Canadian Sebastian Lareau 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3).