Wimbledon 1978 Final - Navratilova Vs. Evert

An enthralling contest between two great rivals. As Wimbledon began the second century of its illustrious history, the 1978 Ladies Singles Final between Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert produced an absorbing match between these two great rivals. There could not have been two more contrasting characters on the court, Navratilova with her fiery temperament, and Evert, the cool "ice maiden". Navratilova burst upon the scene as a highly promising 16 year-old in 1973, and within two years she was ranked No. 2 in the world behind her rival and friend, Chris Evert. And by 1978, Chris was in her prime looking to win her third Wimbledon Singles title. The stage was set for an enthralling contest. Right from the start there was a hint of a classic Final, as Evert set the pace with a confident performance, winning the first set 6-2. In the second set, Navratilova calmed her nerves and fought back to take the set 6-4. Plating tennis of the highest caliber, these champions fought a nail-biting third set as Evert won four games in a row. Navratilova surged back and made a wonderful recovery to win the first of her many Wimbledon titles.