Martina Navratilova v Chris Evert Lloyd - Australian Open 1982 Final highlights

On the grass courts of Kooyong, Australian Open 1982 produced a high-profile women's final between two American superstars. Defending champion Martina Navratilova was looking for her fourth Grand Slam crown against 12-time major champion Chris Evatt-Lloyd, who was yet to secure an Australian Championship. We join the action with games on serve at 2-2 in the first set. Martina very quickly looked at the lines lady. It's interesting to see that she's going for the drop shot. That's three times she's played that. It's a fair number early in this match. Another one. On the line. It's a winner. Two games now that Navratilova has been taken to deuce. Things starting to warm up. That's the break. Two metres behind the baseline for that winner. A sensational shot. The set is looking shaky for Navratilova here. If it had legs it would have climbed over. Navratilova mounted a fight back early in the second set to steal an early break. We rejoin the action with the defending champion looking to consolidate at 2-1. I see Claudia Cota. She'll be playing in the doubles final here this afternoon with Lesley Avan. Interested spectators of the match. Again in that baseline rally you see that Navratilova is the first player to drop the ball short, landing inside the service line and allowed Evatt-Lloyd to attack the net. The crowd thinking that was out. There's two in this game that have been pretty close. What a rally. Yes, that's the time for the drop shot. Navratilova behind the baseline. Superb point there. Let's take a look at the deep ball on the baseline. That the crowd didn't like. Navratilova took a very sharp look at the lady on the line. Oh, what a serve. Well, that's only Navratilova's first ace and I think that's indicative of how she has served in this match. Had to wait nearly a set and a half before she could register a first ace. She's in the ascendancy in the second set. She's playing her best tennis of the match to date. There's not much doubt about that. And the cry goes up again. Yes, anticipation superb there from Navratilova. The chip in itself wasn't good enough to win the point. She covered the cross court and then chipped down the line. Martina serving for the second set. A lead of 5-2. The call was made by the umpire. Martina just took this a bit casually, just waiting there. She should have realised that Abbot Lloyd was going to reach that ball. That's an ace. Linesman unsighted. Linesman was unsighted. I was not sure. I was not sure whether it was good or not. The linesman was unsighted. Would you play a let please, Martina? It's no good asking the other linesman down. That's not her call. Sidelinesman down. Martina's in. It's not her call. Tap, tap, tap. Right on the line, says Martina. I think there's no doubt that it landed on the line. But Chris moves in front of the sidelines lady there and blocks her vision. And if the central umpire, Betty Ellinson, doesn't see it clearly herself, then she has no option but to play two. So bad luck there for Navratilova. Fifteen all. Fifteen thirty. Down a point on service. Although it's hard to imagine she won't serve this second set out. Fourteen thirty. Set point. The tides turned again in the third set with Abbot Lloyd racing to a 4-1 lead. We rejoin the action with Navratilova fighting to get back in the match. That's not easy to do. Hit one over Martina's head. Thirty. Linesman said good. Martina can't believe missing that. Love forty. I think many thousands of people here would echo the same sentiments. Martina dropping service for the third time in this set. Chris Abbot Lloyd decides for the championship. Fifteen. I don't think Martina's conceded defeat though. Thirty. Fifteen thirty. Martina going for the more difficult volley there. Straight forward one down the line. But she pulled it back to the cross court and missed it. Thirty all. Abbot Lloyd two points from the only Grand Slam championships she's never won. If anybody does deserve to win it, I think it's that player on screen. Thoroughly echo your thoughts, Alan. Forty. Chance to stay alive in this match for Navratilova. Which she has done. Five games to two. Abbot Lloyd desperately needing to win these first couple of points. Serving for the match for the second time. Fifteen. Another very confident opening point. Hit the ball smoothly there and came in when she got the opening. Oh! Well that was the shot of the match. Call by the linesman. I'm sure we'll pick it up on the replay. Yes, clearly wide. Chalk. Great point for the championship. That's it. Just saluting the crowd. Chris Abbot Lloyd winning her fifth one there.