Tammy knocks out World No 1

Wearing her lucky orange cap, the same colour she wore in this tournament which she ended up the champion last year, the 32-year-old displayed excellent grass court skills to beat Safina again in a rematch of the 2008 final. Back then Safina, just No 9 in the world, lost 5-7 3-6

"I was wearing it last year and won, so why not wearing it again this year,'' said the world No 47. It was the first time the Thai upset No 1 player in the world.

"I beat her before so I came to the court hoping I might do it again. It was very tough for both of us today because it was windy. It was good that I made it to the final,'' said Tamarine,  a match away from retaining her title. She takes on Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium, a wildcard holder who beat Italian Francesca Schiavone in three sets, on Saturday.

"She's played so well in the  last  couple of years and especially  this year. It will be tough to play her  in this event. I hope to keep this performance again to morrow (Saturday),'' said Tammy in search for her third career trophy.

Safina served two double faults to award Tamarine a crucial break in the ninth game as the Thai gained the upper-hand at 5-4 in the first set. But the world No 1 recollected her concentration to break back for five all.

The Thai veteran, showing no intimidation against the highly profiled opponent, traded heavy groundstrokes with Safina and finally forced the latter to miss a forehand to regain the lead at 6-5.

After slipping four set points, Tamarine set up the fifth opportunity when Safina returned a serve long. As the Russian gave a short ball, Tamarine approached the net and blast a forehand winner to close out the first set.

Tamarine still kept Safina off balance with her attacking groundstrokes. Pressured and frustrated, Safina committed unforced errors and yelled at herself in anger before she gave Tamarine a break in the third game.

Safina rebounded quickly to take the next three games and surged ahead at 4-2 only to serve a double fault and sent a forehand to the net to drop the next service game.

At 5-5, Safina overhit a backhand long before sending the same error from her racquet to give Tamarine a break up at 6-5. The Thai  wrongfooted Safina for a match point before Safina hit a forehand wide to give up the contest.