Indian Wells flashback: When teenage Serena Williams stunned Steffi Graf

In March 1999, Serena Williams had yet to win a major title. Meanwhile, the great Steffi Graf had 21 to her name. 

As the pair met in the final of Indian Wells, known then as the Evert Cup, there was only one favourite on paper. Little did people know, however, that Williams would later go on to catch and then surpass Graf’s extraordinary Grand Slam tally. 

The match itself proved to be one of the best in the history of Indian Wells. Graf was chasing her third title in California. Williams, in contrast, was seeking just her second WTA title. 

In the end it was a 17-year-old Williams who emerged the victor in three thrilling sets –– sparking a remarkable run of form that would see her win the US Open that same year. 

Williams was unseeded in the draw, but had started to emerge as a player tipped for big things. 

The US youngster had ended 1998 ranked 20th in the world and claimed her first Tour title in France at the Open GDF Suez in February 1999. 

In California, Williams immediately made headlines when she knocked out compatriot and second seed Lindsay Davenport in straight sets. Davenport had ended the previous year ranked number one in the world and is the most successful player in the history of Indian Wells. 

The teenager followed this victory with strong wins over France’s Mary Pierce and Sandrine Testud in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively. 

Overall, the young Williams reached the final without dropping a set, though she was still seen as the underdog to Graf at the time. 

At the time, many regarded Graf as the greatest tennis player in history. Indeed, the German had won 21 Slam titles and was second only to Margaret Court. 

While she had taken time away from the game prior to 1999, Graf was still