Tanasugarn triumphs

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:35

Tanasugarn beat world number one Dinara Safina in Friday’s semi-final – the same opponent she beat in last year’s final – and continued her excellent form today.

The 32-year-old broke three times in the first set to assert her authority against an opponent 13 years her junior and, though Wickmayer battled in the second, Tanasugarn sealed victory in one hour 44 minutes.

She said: “It was a tough match. Yanina did a good job running me around. I’m happy I held on to win.

“Last year it was a great experience to win here and I’m so proud I could do it again. I love playing here.”

In the men’s event, Raemon Sluiter could not complete his fairytale win as qualifier Benjamin Becker claimed his first ATP World Tour title.

At 866 in the world, Dutchman Sluiter became the lowest ranked player ever to contest an tour final, but it proved a step to far for him as he slipped to a 7-5 6-3 loss.

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