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Published on February 6, 2008

Red-hot Tamarine Tanasugarn rushed to an upset 6-2 6-1 victory over eighth-seeded Anastasia Rodionova of Russia in the Pattaya Women's Open yesterday.

Dominant from the baseline with lightning ground strokes, the Thai hope sealed victory in just 65 minutes in the first-round match postponed from Monday because of rain.

"I was really focused today, and even if I lost my concentration at some point, I regained it quickly,'' Tammy said. "I was lucky that she was off-colour today because if her shots fell in it would have been tough.''

Next up, the 30-year-old Thai, ranked 105 in the world, will take on Russian Olga Poutchkovam, a 6-2 6-3 winner over countrywoman Alla Kudryavtseva, in the second round tomorrow.

"She hits powerful ground strokes and is consistent. I have to be patient and wait for the right opportunity,'' said Tamarine, who teams up with Romania's Andreea Ehritt-Vanc in the doubles first round against Czechs Renata Voracova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova today.

Two seeded players, Angelique Kerber of Germany and American Jill Craybas, prevailed in straight sets. The German world No 72, seeded fifth in the tournament, was briefly tested by Yuan Meng of China before advancing with a 6-3 7-5 victory.

Seventh-seeded Craybas, one of the veterans in the tournament, proved that at 33 age was just a number as she dropped just a couple of games to trounce Olga Savchuk of Ukraine 6-1 6-1.

In the other first-round matches, Akgul Amanm-uradova of Uzbekistan, fresh from helping her country earn a spot in the Fed Cup World Group II play-offs for the first time, unleashed her big serves to beat Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic 6-3 6-2.

In an  all-Russian encounter, Ekaterina Bychkova won a marathon battle over Yaroslava Shevdova 3-6 7-6 (7/4) 6-3.

Elsewhere, Renata Voracova of the Czech Republic eased past Melinda Czink of Hungary 6-3 6-1.

American Lilia Osterloh picked off Zhang Shuai of China 7-5 6-2.

Wildcard entrants Sophia Mulsap and Varatchaya Wongteanchai stunned Chinese Ji Chun-mei and Sun Sheng-nan 6-3 6-3 to reach their second doubles quarter-finals. Last year, both surprisingly reached the semi-finals of the Bangkok Open.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation

Pattaya