Tamarine rolls back the years

2008-6-30  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THAILAND'S Tamarine Tanasugarn was left to fly the flag for the 30-somethings in the women's singles on Saturday after reaching the last 16 at Wimbledon for the seventh time in her career.

With Japan's 32-year-old Ai Sugiyama losing her third round match against Alisa Kleybanova, Tamarine, who turned 31 in May, is now the oldest woman left in the draw.

Despite being considerably closer to the end of her career than the beginning, the Thai is in the form of her life and happily mixing it with the young crowd.

She gave away 11 years to New Zealand's Marina Erakovic on Saturday but despite admitting her concentration had been "on another planet" the experience gained in more than 760 Tour matches pulled her through to a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory.

"It's a good feeling to be back in the second week of a grand slam," Tamarine, who last reached the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2004, told reporters.

"I've never been in a grand slam quarterfinal before. I've played many fourth round matches here at Wimbledon and I've been very disappointed not to go on.

"But, now I'm thinking, wow! There was a 128 draw and there are just 16 left and I'm there, so it's good already. If I make the quarters it's great but if I lose in the 16s it's fine."

It is a relaxed attitude that has served her well during the ups and downs of a life as a tennis professional and if her form during the grasscourt season is anything to go by she will give world No. 2 Jelena Jankovic a run for her money today.

She reached the quarterfinals at Birmingham before a superb run at Den Bosch where she claimed the second title of her career by beating French Open runner-up Dinara Safina.

"I'm just having fun and enjoying all my matches," said Tamarine.