Wta Tournament Begins

Kimiko Date defeated Jana Novotna 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 in the opening singles match of the season-ending WTA Tour Championships at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Brenda Schultz-McCarthy and Gabriela Sabatini qualified for the eight-team doubles competition by defeating Nathalie Tauziat and Julie Halard 6-4, 6-4.

On Sunday, Jimmy Connors had to quit after one set because of a strained lower back, giving Johan Kriek the $40,000 first prize in the $150,000 U.S. West Champions over-35 professional tennis tournament in Seattle.