Tamarine retains Ordina Open title

Thai tennis star Tamarine Tanasugarn superbly defended her title in the U$220,000 Ordina Open in 's - Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands after she outclassed Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium 6-3 7-5 in the final on Saturday.

The 32 year old Thai, ranked No 47 in the world, relied on her experience to beat the young rival for her third career title. She beat Russian Dinara Safina, the current word No 1, in the last year's final. Her maiden WTA trophy came in Hyderabad in 2003.

The superstitious Tamarine still wore an orange hat in the final, a routine she did when she lifted up the title a year ago.

"It still works today. I think it's my lucky colour,'' said the country's ace who stunned Safina in the Friday's semi-final which marked her first win over a present No 1 player in the world.

"Wickmayer made me run a lot in the end,'' the two-time Ordina champion said. "I feel like home here. I have to thank the physio to make my (injured right) arm work today. Thanks mom and dad for wishing me luck on the phone,'' added Tamarine who picked up a US$37,000 winner's cheque.

The victory was a sweet revenge for her after losing to the 19-year-old opponent 3-6 0-3 (retired)  in Surbiton last year. She was successful three times from nine final attempts on the WTA tour.

A special song tribute was sung live for her during the award presentation ceremony, which depicted her matches from round one and as the first player to defend her crown in the event.

In the battle between wits and power, Tamarine relied on her shot selection to tackle with heavy hitting from the young Belgian. After trading breaks for three all in the first set, Wickmayer tried to hit harder and harder only to dig her own grave as she missed two successive shots to give Tamarine a break up at 4-3.

The Thai comfortably held for 5-3 and managed another break to take the first set after her rival sprayed a forehand wide.

A brief bouts of nerves cost Tammy the opening service game which saw her follow 0-2. The Belgian launched a series of raids and had several chances to break for 3-0 but the gutsy Thai saved them all to win that crucial third game.

Gaining her momentum back, Tamarine broke the erratic Wickmayer to level at 2-2 and held comfortably to lead for the first time in the second set at 3-2.

Game went with serves in a thrilling fashion until Tamarine successfully held to lead 6-5. It was at this critical moment that experience began to count. The veteran kept the ball in play but the inexperienced teenager did not. Wickmayer, after producing a brave drop shot to save the first match point, netted a backhand to eventually surrender.