The Sidelines : Navratilova Returns After Surgery, Defeats Sabatini

Martina Navratilova played her first competitive match in two months, beating Gabriela Sabatini today in an exhibition, 6-3, 6-4.

“It was much better than I expected,” said the 34-year-old Navratilova, who had knee surgery late last year. “I thought I was feeling old, but my knees are good and now I feel 10 years younger.”

Navratilova, who two weeks ago began experimenting with a new serve, broke Sabatini in the second and sixth games of the first set and three times in the second set.

Navratilova, the world’s third-ranked player, said all players tinker with their serves.

“My new one puts more racket on the ball and reduces the chance of error,” she said.

Former French Open champion Arantxa Sanchez Vicario beat Rachel McQuillan of Australia in the first match, 6-0, 6-1.