Connors Australian Champ; Evert Loses

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Jimmy Connors took the first step toward winning tennis' Grand Slam, capturing the men's singles title in the Australian Open Championships Tuesday, but his fiancee, Chris Evert, was beaten for the women's crown by Evonne Goolagong. The 21-year-old Connors, the No. 2 seed from Belleville, Ill., overwhelmed Phil Dent of Australia, 7-5, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, after Miss Goolagong, the 22-year-old Wimbledon champion, won her country's title for the first time in four tries, beating Miss Evert of Ft. Lauderdale, 7-6, 4-6, 6-0.

The Australian Championships are the first in the Grand Slam series that includes the French, Wimbledon and U.S. Open tournaments. Connors, earning $9,685 from the $74,500 purse, was too quick for the 23-year-old Dent, the No. 9 seed, beating him in a match that lasted 2 hours, 5 minutes. Dent received $5,215.

Other finals:

MEN'S DOUBLES -- Ross Case-Geoff Masters (Australia) d. Bob Glitanan-Syd Ball, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.

WOMEN'S DOUBLES -- Goolagond-Peggy Michel (Pacific Palisades), d. Kerry Melville-Kerry Harris (Australia), 7-5, 6-3.

[source: ap]