Japan’s Date Krumm becomes oldest WTA Tour winner since Billie Jean King in 1983
By APWednesday, September 30, 2009
Date Krumm becomes oldest WTA winner since King
SEOUL, South Korea — Japan’s Kimiko Date Krumm is the oldest winner of a WTA Tour tournament in 26 years, having beaten second-seeded Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain 6-3, 6-3 to claim the Korea Open title.
The victory on Sunday was Date Krumm’s first in 13 years and eighth of her career. She turns 39 on Monday. Billie Jean King was 39 years, 7 months and 23 days when she won at Birmingham, England in 1983.
Formerly ranked No. 4 in the world, Date Krumm quit tennis in 1996 before returning last year.
She beat top-seeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4 in the quarterfinals and defending champion Maria Kirilenko of Russia 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinals.
Date Krumm won her last WTA title at San Diego in August 1996.
Tags: Asia, East Asia, Seoul, South Korea, Sports, Women's Sports, Women's Tennis
