1994

GRAF BREEZES TO VICTORY

There was something new and something old in 1994 at the La Costa Resort & Spa.

The tournament, which had a new title sponsor, was now known as the Toshiba Tennis Classic. Prize money was also increased to $400,000.

A familiar face reached the finals as three-time tournament champion Steffi Graf attempted to defend her title.

Earlier in the week fans and media wondered if Graf, ranked number one in the world, would make it to the finals. In her second round match against Lisa Raymond, Graf recovered from a slow start and won 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-2.

In the quarterfinals, Graf defeated France's Julie Halard in three sets after letting a 5-2 lead slip away in the second set.

	Aranxta Sanchez-Vicario

Even in her 6-3, 6-4 semifinal victory over Tami Whitlinger-Jones, Graf had difficulty closing out

the match after holding a 5-1 lead in the first set and a 5-2 advantage in the second set.

On the other side of the draw, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario of Spain, who television commentator Bud Collins called, the Barcelona Bumble Bee, looked as sharp as always in her 6-4, 6-1 semifinal victory over compatriot Conchita Martinez.

Did Sanchez Vicario have any chance of defeating Graf?

It was no contest as Graf defeated the Spaniard, 6-2, 6-1 in 67 minutes before a sellout crowd of 5,800.

Graf began the match with an ace and from there it was down hill for Sanchez Vicario, who could only hold serve once in the first 13 games of the match.

In the second set, with a 5-1 lead, Graf blasted a 100 mph serve and went on to easily serve out the match to win the title for the fourth time.

Graf earned $80,000 for the win while Sanchez Vicario received $32,000.

Sanchez Vicario did team with Jana Novotna to win the doubles crown with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over San Diego's Ginger Helgeson and Rachel McQuillan of Australia.

	Steffi Graff

Tournament Notes

Attendance for the seven days of the tournament was 53,551, which broke the previous mark of 51,591.

During her stay, Graf dined at the Rancho Santa Fe restaurant, Mille Fleurs, where she happily posed for pictures with one of her fans, chef Martin Woesle. He prepared a special five-course meal for Graf.

Coronado's Angelica Gavaldon began her first round match against Erika de Lone late Monday night and finished Tuesday morning. Gavaldon was down a set and 5-2 before winning in three sets. The match ended at 12:15 a.m.

Graf entered the doubles draw with Pam Shriver as a wildcard. They were defeated in the second round by Conchita Martinez and Patricia Tarabini, 6-3, 6-4.