Install

Get the latest updates as we post them — right on your browser

Today's paper. Last Updated: 05/29/2012

Martina, Martina Advance

FILDERSTADT, Germany -- Martina Navratilova avoided an early exit in her last European tournament, staving off a match point before rallying to beat Lori McNeil 5-7, 7-6 (9-7), 6-4 at the Porsche Grand Prix.


Martina Hingis of Switzerland, the 14-year-old prodigy, had an easier time Thursday in advancing to the quarterfinals of her second pro tournament. She took just 77 minutes to roll past Christina Singer, 26, of Germany, 6-1, 6-4.


"I'm sure it's not pleasant for players who have been on the tour for five or six years when a little brat wins against them," said Hingis.


Navratilova, 37, needed 2 1/2 hours to struggle past McNeil at the $400,000 tournament, the last stop in Europe on her farewell tour as she winds down her career. McNeil appeared headed for an upset against the tennis great when she fired two strong serves to set up match point at 7-6 in the second-set tiebreak.


But Navratilova slammed a backhand volley on the next point and won the tiebreak behind two McNeil errors.


n


The most notable thing about Goran Ivanisevic's match with Richard Krajicek at the Seiko Super Tennis tournament in Tokyo on Friday was when a point lasted longer than three strokes. The two serve-and-volley artists blasted aces and service winners at each other until Ivanisevic, the top seed, won the quarterfinal meeting on tiebreaks, 7-6 (7-1), 7-6 (8-6).


Third seed Stefan Edberg of Sweden had little trouble handling New Zealander Brett Steven, 6-4, 6-3. Earlier, No. 10 Jacco Eltingh of the Netherlands overcame the 16th seed, American Jonathan Stark, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1). The Associated Press




This article has no comments.

Be the first to leave a comment


Discussion
The Moscow Times welcomes your comments and invites you to discuss topics with other readers. Your comment will be posted automatically to enable a live discussion. If you aren't familiar with our comments policy, you can read it here.

If you're a registered user, you can start typing your comment below. If not, take a moment to sign up. and then return to the article.

If your comment doesn't appear, contact us by using our web form.

Comments

Comments via Facebook



print


Comments

This article has no comments.

Be the first to leave a comment





Most Read