At the US Open, Sabatini progressed to her second grand slam final where she defeated world no. 1 Graf in straight sets 6-2 7–6 to win the title, having saved two set points against her while 5-6 down in the second set. She credited her win with being more aggressive and coming to the net whenever she could to attack Graf's shorter balls. Sabatini also beat Graf in the semifinals of the WTA Tour Championships in Madison Square Garden later that year, losing in the final to Monica Seles 6–4, 5–7, 3–6, 6–4, 6–2. It was the first five-set match to be played on the women's tour since 1901.