Defeat ‘win’ for young tennis player

Press, 11 January 1986, Page 3

Defeat ‘win’ for young tennis player

NZPA-Reuter Washington The world champion, Martina Navratilova, dispatched Susan Sloane, aged 15, in just 46 minutes in a 5U5150.000 (3NZ300.000) women’s tennis tournamen : in Washington this week, but the 6-3 6-3 loss was the highlight of the American teenager’s fledgling career. Just being on the same court with Navratilova was a thrill for Sloane. “I couldn’t believe I was playing Martina at first,” said Sloane, who is ranked 241st in the world. “But after a couple of games I just forgot who was on the other side of the net. I played as well as I could expect to but if we played again I’d probably try to move her around more.” Navratilova said she was “surprised at how hard” Sloane hit the ball. “She got set very well and went for the lines.

“She was very poised and played well, and she has a good head on her shoulders. The match reminded me of the first time I played Chris (Lloyd).” The Czechoslovak, Helena Sukova, swept through 6-0, 6-4 against Sabrina Goles, of Yugoslavia, in other secondround play, and Claudia Kohde-Kilsch, of West Germany, defeated the Australian, Wendy Turnbull, 6-4, 64.

Although Sukova had a comfortable match against her Yugoslavian opponent, she was tested in the second set as Goles attempted a comeback. After breaking Goles’ serve for the fourth time at the opening of the second set, Sukova lost serve and was forced to save two further breakpoints later in the set. Kohde-Kilsch had a more difficult task in overcoming Turnbull, aged 33. The Australian is renowned for her fighting spirit and came quickly with a 3-0 lead. Kohde-Kilsh, though, has not reached the position of fifth in the world without learning how to deal with pressure, and she was soon handing out punishment in the form of some blistering passing shots that had Turnbull floundering.

“We always have tough matches. She’s very fast and very good at the ■ net,” Kohde-Kilsh said. “I’m glad my passing shots were working well because I would have been in trouble.”