The ritual between points has been part of Steffi Graf’s game for years: She stands at the baseline, runs a forefinger under her ear to her chin, then flicks away a bead of perspiration.
Graf did it only out of habit Friday because she didn’t break a sweat against Jennifer Capriati.
Two comebacks collided and Graf showed no mercy with a 6-0, 6-1 victory in the second round at the Lipton Championships.
In other results Friday, Jim Courier earned a second-round match against longtime friend and foe Pete Sampras. The two former Lipton champions were to meet Saturday for the 20th time on the ATP Tour in a rivalry that dates to their days as juniors.
“It’s an early-round kind of appetizer for the fans,” said Courier, who advanced by beating Jan Frode Andersen 7-6 (8-6), 6-2.
Fifth-seeded Patrick Rafter beat Andrew Ilie in their first career meeting 6-3, 7-5.
