1.
GV Miss Evert serving to Miss Navratilova; rally, point to Miss Evert with drop shot
0.19

2.
GV Evert serving; rally; Navratilova returns ball out of court
0.38

3.
SV Crowd
0.42

4.
GV Navratilova serving
0.46

5.
SV Navratilova in action during rally
1.01

6.
GV Rally continues; Evert wins point
1.10

7.
SV Crowd
1.14

8.
GV Evert serving; rally; Evert wins point with passing shot; PAN to Crowd
1.33

9.
GV Crowd applaud, PAN ACROSS TO Evert holding cup
1.41



Initials CL/1711 CL/1729


SPORT: TENNIS

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In the Italian Hard Court Tennis Championships at Foro Italico, Rome, Chris, Evert of the United States retained her Women's Singles title with surprising ease on Saturday (31 May) by beating Czechoslovakia's Martina Navratilova 6-1, 6-0.

Miss Evert's performance throughout the tournament had been impressive. She had reached the finals without losing one set, and without being challenged seriously by any of her opponents.

In last year's Italian final she had beaten Miss Navratilova by 6-3, 6-3, but during the past twelve months the Czech girl emerged as a world class player, and a tough battle was anticipated on Saturday.

But Miss Evert is an apparently faultless tennis machine, and she gave her opponent no chance. The sheer power of her two-fisted backhand and the all-round depth of her ground strokes mixed with an occasional drop shot, completely demoralised Miss Navratilova.

All Miss Navratilova's attempts to get into the match with good serving and Volleying were blunted by Miss Evert's impenetrable defence, and the American girl needed only forty-two minutes to earn the winner's prize of five thousand dollars.