Graf–Seles rivalry close match 1–6, 6–4, 6–4. 1999 Australian Open Quarter Final: Seles won 7–5, 6–1, and finished the match strongly, for her only post-stabbing victory over Graf. 1999 French Open Semi Final: Graf defeated Seles in a three-set match after coming from a set behind. This was their last ever head-to-head match. Graf went on to win the title. profiles at WTA site Graf–Seles rivalry Steffi Graf and Monica Seles are retired professional tennis players who between 1989 and 1999 engaged in a rivalry for the best female tennis player. They competed in 15 matches. Seles, a left-handed player, demonstrated powerful
Steffi Graf to wear a back brace and was unsure about playing the US Open but elected to play while receiving treatment and stretching for two hours before each match. She made it to the final and took the first set against Sánchez Vicario but lost the next two sets — Sanchez Vicario's last victory over Graf. In the middle of the second set, Graf suffered back spasms while reaching for a ball in the ad court. She took the following nine weeks off, returning only for the Virginia Slims Championships where she lost in straight sets to Pierce in the quarterfinal.