/ 2 June 1997

Amanda squares up with Steffi

MONDAY, 9.00AM:

AMANDA COETZER eased her way into the quarterfinals of the French Open in Paris on Sunday, when she beat eighth-seeded Conchita Martinez 6-7, 6-4, 6-3 in their fourth-round match, the first time she has beaten Martinez.

Coetzer said after the two-and-a-half hour match: “Obviously I’m really pleased with the way I’m playing. I know now that I can stay out there for as long as it takes and that’s important.”

Coetzer will face second-seed Steffi Graf in the quarterfinal match. Graf beat Irina Spirlea of Romania, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2 in a fourth-round match on Sunday.

Graf has been beaten twice by Coetzer this year. “She [Coetzer] is very consistent and doesn’t make many mistakes. She uses the court well and is very quick. I shall need to dictate the points and not make any errors,” Graf said.