Navratilova Defeats Kohde-Kilsch

WORCESTER, Mass. — A sub-par Martina Navratilova had a two hour and two-minute struggle Monday night before edging Claudia Kohde-Kilsch for the New England Virginia Slims title.

Navratilova, who has won six straight tournaments, lost a string of nine successive straight-set victories and trailed by two games in the third set before winning, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.

“I started getting a sore throat yesterday,” Navratilova said. “I was tired and had an upset stomach tonight.

“But give her credit,” she said of her 22-year-old West German opponent. “She played well. She has played worse than that and beaten me.”

Navratilova holds a commanding 15-2 career edge in games with Kohde-Kilsch.

Said the fourth-seeded Kohde-Kilsch: “It was just a matter of a few points. I played well except in the second set. In the first and third, I played very well.