Monday, July 6, 1998
Novotna buries ghosts of the past
Winning Wimbledon at last was only the biggest thing in Novotna's life, a 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) victory over France's Nathalie Tauziat that gave the 29-year-old from the Czech Republic her first Grand Slam title on the court of her most traumatic losses. Novotna tenderly caressed the giant silver salver, kissed it over and over, and leaned her cheek on it as if it were a pillow she didn't want to let go.
Anand in dire straits
Viswanathan Anand, still looking for his first win, found himself in an incredibly dismal situation when he was held to a seventh draw in eight games at the Sparkassen chess meeting 1998. The Indian GM was held to a 30-move draw by Hungary's Zoltan Almasi in the eighth round. Anand now lies in the lower half of the standings with 3.5 points, less than 50%, something which has not happened to him in a very long time.
Sampras bursts the Croatian bubble
Defending champion Pete Sampras overcame Goran Ivanisevic in a thrilling five-set final yesterday to win his fifth Wimbledon men's singles title in six years. The 26-year-old American came back from a set down to win his 11th Grand Slam title 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 in a classic serve-volley final lasting almost three hours.
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