Navratilova Beats Mandlikova, Wins 45th Match in Row

Top-seeded Martina Navratilova won her 45th straight singles match, defeating second-seeded Hana Mandlikova, 6-2, 6-2, Monday night in the final of a $250,000 Virginia Slims tournament.

The victory was worth $48,000 to Navratilova. Mandlikova received $22,600.

Navratilova has won seven consecutive singles titles since losing the French Open title to Chris Evert Lloyd.

“Against Martina, if you’re not serving well, that’s the end of you,” said Mandlikova, who failed to win five of her eight service games in the 57-minute match. “I haven’t served this bad in a year.”

In the first set, Mandlikova held serve just once in four games while missing 14 of 22 first serves.

“I wasn’t nervous, I just couldn’t find my rhythm,” Mandlikova said after the brief rematch of this summer’s Wimbledon final. “It seems Martina always saves her best for me.”

Since losing the 1985 U.S. Open final to Mandlikova, Navratilova has won their last eight meetings.

“I really have played above average against her in every match since then,” Navratilova said. “Because her ability is so great, she makes me play better.”