Tennis: Navratilova's half-century

MARTINA NAVRATILOVA romped to her 50th victory at Madison Square Garden as the finals of the Virginia Slims Championship got under way in New York on Monday night.

The 37-year-old third seed, who has announced that next year will be her last on the circuit, received a standing ovation before beating Nathalie Tauziat of France, 6-4, 6-4.

'For years I felt I was under appreciated, now I'm over appreciated,' Navratilova said. 'I think they went a little overboard. But it's fine. I can handle it.'