Lloyd and Rinaldi Win as United States Takes 2-0 Lead in Wightman Cup Tennis

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Chris Evert Lloyd defeated England’s Jo Durie, 6-2, 6-3, Thursday night in the opening match of the 57th annual Wightman Cup.

The 25-year-old Durie, ranked No. 29 in the world, was no match for Lloyd, the captain of the five-member U.S. team. Except for a slow start, where Durie won the first six points, Lloyd kept Durie away from the net.

“Her strengths feed into my strengths,” said Lloyd, the No. 1 player in the world. “And maybe my strengths seem to be better because I’m winning. When I keep her pinned to the baseline, I feel like I can out-steady her.”

In the nightcap, Kathy Rinaldi beat England’s Anne Hobbs, 7-5, 7-5, to give the United States a 2-0 lead.

The three-day, best-of-seven series, which includes five singles and two doubles matches, has a $100,000 purse.

The Americans have won the last six meetings and hold a 46-10 lead in the series. The U.S. team also includes Pam Shriver, Betsy Nagelson and Anne White.

The British team, captained by Virginia Wade, also includes Annabel Croft and Sarah Gomer.