Martina Takes a Bow, Then Bounces Smith

LONDON —  Martina Navratilova had to bow to Chris Evert’s superiority many times in her career--but never quite so literally as at Wimbledon today.

As the world’s second-ranked player entered Centre Court for her second-round match against American Anne Smith, Navratilova turned, as is the custom, to bow to the royal box.

Navratilova did not realize that Evert--her former rival and one of her closest friends--was a guest in the box.

“I never expected I’d have to do that,” Navratilova said with a smile. “And she didn’t let me forget it, either.

“My mind kept wandering nicely. It was hard to keep my concentration with Chris up there.

“I miss Chris playing. I get to see her--and I get to curtsy to her. But it’s not the same as playing her and talking about the match afterwards--and throwing soap at each other in the shower.”

The two all-time greats dominated the women’s game in the 1970s and 1980s until West German Steffi Graf took over as the top-ranked player in 1987. Navratilova held a 43-37 advantage in lifetime meetings with Evert, who retired after last year’s U.S. Open.

Despite the distraction, Navratilova kept enough of her concentration to easily beat Smith, 6-2, 6-3, and keep alive her hopes of a record ninth Wimbledon singles title.