OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Tuesday 4.00pm.
MARIAAN DE SWARDT has no fear of Steffi Graf in their second-round bout at Wimbledon, and actually fancies her chances of an upset. The two are tied one-all after two previous matches.
In 1992, Graf beat de Swardt 7-5 in a tight third set at Wimbledon, and in 1995 de Swardt and Amanda Coetzer were the only players to beat Graf. de Swardt has more confidence than seven years ago at Wimbledon, and has come to relish the underdog role. Her experience will serve her well against Graf. De Swardt reckons Graf is mroe worried about playing her than she is about playing Graf.
Crucial for the South African will be big serves and a quick move to the net. She will also have her work cut out for her in attacking the German’s backhand. the balance between keeping the ball towrd the middle of the court to cut down angles and pushing Graf toward her slicing backhand will be delicate.
De Swardt hopes to test Graf’s topspin backhand under pressure, and plans to change pace and tactics often throughout the match. Graf has priased de Swardt, particularly after the 1995 match.
In the other match of the day 12th seed Coetzer faces Miho Saeki of Japan. Coetzer seems to have developed a new-found confidence on grass and seems a lot more optimistic about her chances here than she was in the past.
Should both South Africans win, they could end up playing each other in the fourth round.