TAMARINE Tanasugarn beat Kimiko Date Krumm 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-1 in the Japan Women's Open final yesterday, spoiling the 40-year-old Japanese player's bid to become the oldest WTA Tour singles winner.
The 33-year-old Thai broke the sixth-seeded Date Krumm twice in the third set to take control in a match that lasted three hours and seven minutes.
"I tried to be more aggressive in the third set and I finally made it," said Tanasugarn, claiming her fourth career title. "This is a great feeling and hopefully I can continue to play like this and get a good start to 2011."
Date Krumm, who turned 40 last month, was bidding to become the oldest player to win a WTA singles title.
Billie Jean King won in Birmingham in 1983 when she was 39 years, seven months and 23 days.
"I just tried my best and fought as hard as I could," Date Krumm said.
