Tanasugarn bows out in Wismilak quarters

KUALA LUMPUR (JP): The only Asian player, Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand, had to bow out in the quarterfinals of the US$180,000 Wismilak International '99 on Friday.

Tanasugarn, the 1998 Asian Games silver medalist, lost to Italian number two player Rita Grande, who is world ranked 63, 6- 0, 2-6, 3-6.

In the first set, Tanasugarn controlled the ball using her drive forehands and backhands and also her down-the-line strokes forcing Grande to move all over the court. She won easily 6-0.

But in the second set, Grande tried to slow down the rhythm with her short high spins and serve-and-volley playing. Grande led 2-0 before Tanasugarn managed to equal 2-2. In the fifth game, Tanasugarn failed to overcome the pressure to let Grande grab the second set 6-2.

In the do-or-die match, both players tied 2-2 before Grande broke Tanasugarn's serve to lead 3-2. The Italian hard serves, which reached 180 kilometers per hour, were unable to be returned by Tanasugarn to let Grande earn 4-2.

Tanasugarn spoiled her chance with a double fault to let Grande lead 5-2 but she was able to trail 3-5 by breaking the Italian serves.

Unfortunately, Tanasugarn failed to take an advantage from her serves while leading 40-30 and let the Italian force a deuce. After fighting for one hour and 40 minutes, Tanasugarn finally bowed out to Grande 3-6.

"I think my physical condition is not good enough to play three sets. In the third set I was really exhausted but I kept fighting. I had to play six tight sets yesterday in singles and doubles," she said, as quoted by tennis observer Benny Mailili.

Grande will face the winner between Amelie Cocheteux of France and Erika De Lone of the United States.

The other semifinals will feature Joannette Kruger of Russia, who upset sixth seeded Kristina Brandi of the United States 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, and Asa Carlsson of Sweden, who defeated Anastasia Myskina of Russia 6-7 (3-7), 6-1, 6-1.

In Perth, Indonesia beat Yugoslavia 2-1 in the sixth day of the Under-16 World Youth Cup. Dea Sumantri defeated Renata Ljukovcan 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 but junior Angelique Widjaja had to bow out to Borka Majstorovic 2-6, 6-4, 1-6. Doubles of Dea and Angelique defeated Ljukovcan and Majstorovic 3-6, 7-5, 6-1. (yan)