1.
GV Navratilova serves from far end to Evert-Lloyd; after long base line rally Navratilova wins point (2 shots)
0.31

2.
GV Mrs. Lloyd serves, Navratilova wins point with drop shot (2 shots)
0.42

3.
SV & GV Lloyd serves from near end; Lloyd wins point after long rally (3 shots)
1.14

4.
GV Lloyd serves from far end and wins point after rally (2 shots)
1.36

5.
GV Navratilova serves from near end; Mrs. Lloyd wins match point
1.43

6.
SV PAN Mrs. Lloyd runs to net to shake hands with Miss Navratilova and both shake hands with umpire
2.00




Initials BB/



SPORT: TENNIS

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The world's two top players in women's tennis came face to face in another important final in Australia on Sunday (29 November), when Chris Evert-Lloyd, the Wimbledon champion and World number one, took on the aggressive all-court player who has been her closest rival for five years, Martina Navratilova.

SYNOPSIS: The event was the New South Wales Building Society Classic in Melbourne. The occasion, provided another opportunity for the Czech-born exile to establish her claim to being Mrs. Lloyd's chief rival. After Mrs. Lloyd had won a close first set by 6-4, Miss Navratilova made a strong bid in the second. Using her powerful serve-and-volley game, Navratilova began to dictate the play to the more cautious base-line player.

It was their first encounter on grass since Mrs. Lloyd won a close semi-final in the Wimbledon tournament.

Miss Navratilova took the second set 6-2 to level out at one set all, and so they went to a decisive third set. And it was the Florida girl's greater mental resolve which soon had Navratilova chasing hard. Mrs. Lloyd seemed able to handle her opponent's swinging serve and was serving well herself. The 25-year old Czech girl found it hard to control her volleying, usually such a sure part of her game.

Mrs. Lloyd was clearly taking a grip on the last set, and there did not seem to be much her opponent could do. The players were also competing for a lead on the Toyota World Series Bonus Pool.

Standing at 5-1 down in the third set, Navratilova served to stay in the match.

Mrs. Lloyd's victory 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, is being seen as further confirmation of her ranking as the world's best woman tennis player.