[Gotham Dark Knight]

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) -- Gabriela Sabatini's rival and doubles partner Steffi Graf introduced her into the Tennis Hall of Fame.

Sabatini was enshrined into the Hall of Fame on Newport's grass courts along with Australian Patrick Rafter and Italian journalist Gianni Clerici on Saturday.

Sabatini, the first Argentine women elected to the Hall, defeated Graf to win the 1990 U.S. Open and her only Grand Slam singles title. Sabatini and Graf won the 1988 Wimbledon doubles title.

"I always enjoyed playing Steffi," Sabatini said of the 2004 Hall of Fame inductee. "I always admired Steffi. She's always been a very important person in my tennis career. I always thought this would be a great way to end my cycle at the Hall of Fame."

Sabatini was ranked in the top 10 for 10 consecutive years from 1986-1995, and ranked as high as No. 3. With her U.S. Open win, she became the first female from Argentina to win a Grand Slam singles title and first South American to win since Brazil's Maria Bueno in 1966.

Sabatini, who lost in the 1991 Wimbledon final to Graf, won 27 singles titles and 14 doubles titles. She ended career with a 632-189 singles record (.769) in 1996.



I actually met Sabatini in a 1985 Tennis Tournament...she was nice...posed for a picture, gave out an autograph...cool player...also hit this incredible shot between her legs with her back to the net on the practice courts...awesome shot.