THE SIDELINES : Navratilova, Evert Reach 3rd Round

Top-seeded Martina Navratilova and second-seeded Chris Evert registered straight-set victories today to move into the third round of the Eastbourne Virginia Slims grass-court tournament.

Navratilova beat Ronni Reis of the United States 6-0, 6-2 and Evert defeated Sara Gomer of Britain 6-2, 6-0.

Evert, playing her first tournament in three weeks, showed her good condition by outrunning Gomer throughout the 54-minute match. The 34-year-old three-time Wimbledon champion said fitness is part of her game and her life. “Even when I don’t play, I work out. Otherwise I get very irritable after a few days,” she said.

Also advancing was seventh-seeded Mary Joe Fernandez of the United States, better known as a clay-court player but showing improved play on grass with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Britain’s Anne Simpkin.