Navratilova Avoids the Upset Trend and Routs Bonder, 6-1, 6-1

NEW YORK — Defending champion Martina Navratilova escaped a series of first-round upsets in the $500,000 Virginia Slims tennis championships Wednesday night with a 6-1, 6-1 rout of Lisa Bonder.

Earlier Wednesday night, Pam Shriver struggled past sixth-seeded Manuela Maleeva of Bulgaria, 6-4, 0-6, 6-4, and No. 7 Zina Garrison stopped Sylvia Hanika of West Germany, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

Four seeded players--led by No. 2 Chris Evert Lloyd--were eliminated in first-round action on the indoor court at Madison Square Garden. Other first-round victims included No. 4 Wendy Turnbull of Australia and No. 8 Carling Bassett of Canada.

The 19-year-old Bonder and Navratilova traded service breaks to begin the match, then Bonder won the second game. It was the last game she won in the opening set, which Navratilova closed out with a running forehand cross-court passing shot.

Again, they traded service breaks to begin the second set, Bonder grabbing a 1-0 lead when Navratilova netted an easy backhand volley. Bonder did not win another game.