Tennis Roundup : Navratilova Avoids Another Upset

Lori McNeil, ranked 75th in the world, won the first set, but then succumbed to Martina Navratilova, 3-6, 6-2, 6-0, in the second round of a $150,000 grass court tournament at Eastbourne, England, Tuesday.

McNeil, the 21-year-old daughter of former San Diego Charger defensive back Charlie McNeil, lives in Houston. She appeared in control in the first set, before Navratilova overpowered her with strong serves and an assortment of passing shots in the last two sets.

Earlier in the day, Navratilova had defeated Betsy Nagelsen, 6-4, 6-4.

“It was the second match I had played, and I was still thinking about the first,” Navratilova said of her slow start against McNeil. “I was not quite ready mentally, and she was more prepared for the match than I was.”

Although Navratilova survived, two other seeded players No. 9 Carling Bassett of Canada and No. 11 Gabriella Sabatini of Argentina failed to advance.

Sabatini, 15, lost to Pascale Paradis of France, 6-7, 6-2, 6-3. Bassett was beaten by Dianne Balestrat of Australia, 6-3, 6-0.

At Bristol, England, Tim Gullikson produced a mild upset in the rain-delayed $102,400 West of England grass court tournament when he eliminated Slobodan Zivojinovic of Yugoslavia, 2-6, 7-6, 6-4.

Zivojinovic, 21, reached the semifinals of last week’s Queen’s Club tournament.

Gullikson’s twin brother, Tom, also reached the second round, scoring a 7-5, 6-2 victory over West Germany’s Rolf Osterthun.

American Chip Hooper, was defeated by Gianni Ocleppo of Italy, 7-6, 6-2.