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Graf in her groove at Toshiba Classic

Steffi Graf, who has won the Toshiba Tennis Classic four times in course of her career, started off with a perfect 6-2 6-2 romp over Julie Halard-Decugis. Steffi has now won her last 21 games on these hard courts. She has also blanked the French player in all 9 games they've played head to head.

Graf, who has seen limited action due to injuries over the past two years, is now concentrating on getting match fit for the U S Open, where she has a shot at collecting her 22nd major title.

"I'm feeling better and better. My game is pretty solid right now and I'm getting used to playing matches," said Graf, who is just into her seventh tournament of the year.

Defending champion and current world number one Martina Hingis, meanwhile, begins her title defense against Graf's Wimbledon conqueror, Natasha Zvereva.

Former teen prodigy Jennifer Capriati, winner here in 1991 and 1992, saw her latest comeback attempt stymied. Having come through the qualifying rounds, Capriati was dumped 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 by Ai Sugiyama of Japan.

"I'm getting closer but it's real disappointing," said Capriati. "I thought I was playing well enough to win..."

This is her sixth first round loss in 12 tournaments. "Being out of the spotlight gives me time to come back," says the one time teen prodigy who was a has-been at 20. "It's made it easier for me," she insisted.

Eighth seed Nathalie Tauziat of France, who reached this year's Wimbledon final, was extended before dispatching Shi-Ting Wang of Taiwan 7-5 3-6 6-1.

Fifth-seeded former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez of Spain, who won this event in 1995, cruised to a 6-4 6-2 victory over American Kimberly Po. However, the seventh seed, Irina Spirlea of Romania, was surprised by South African Joannette Kruger 3-6 6-2 6-4.