Newz Forum: OTHER: TENNIS: Martina off to a great start

Nine-times champion Martina Navratilova marked her return to singles action at Wimbledon with a vintage display to breeze through her opening-round match against Catalina Castano on court two.

The 47-year-old, awarded a wild card by the All England Club following a 10-year absence, rolled back the years as even an interruption for rain could not halt her progress against the young Colombian.

Martina Navratilova swept aside Catalina Castano 6-0 6-1 in just 46 minutes. Navratilova, 47, making her first return to singles since 1994, knew too much for the Colombian opponent as she raced 5-0 ahead on a packed Court Two.

Even a rain break could not dent her concentration as she stayed in control. Castano finally held her serve to win the 12th game, her first of the match, and had a break point in the next, but could not stop the nine-time champion. Castano is ranked 102nd in the world but had played just four matches on grass in her career.

The inevitable soon followed, though, as despite saving three match points, the 24-year-old finally succumbed, another unforced error, this time long with her forehand return, giving Navratilova a comfortable straight-sets victory in just over 46 minutes of action.

Navratilova will next face Gisela Dulko, the woman who thrashed her in the first round at Roland Garros.

Good luck to the old lady, teeach them younguns something!
Think she has a chance to win?

Well she will be out for revenge for her defeat at the french open. So i expect her to put up a better performance and win her next round match.

How about winning it all?

Well thats a tough question. No doubt she still has the skill but will her body last the pace to make it to the final. I think there is too many younger players around for martina to win it all. She will go out in the 3rd round maybe 4th is she is lucky.

she does have the skill and i bet she will be their mentally but the body is the question, how will she feel waking up the next day is the most important thing.

Grass will suit her better than clay, grass you can have the shorter points while on clay you have the longer points and Martina needs teh shorter points.