Sat Jun 21 08:41:35 2008

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Tanasugarn takes down Safina for Ordina title

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's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands (Sports Network) - Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn beat surging Russian Dinara Safina in Saturday's final to win the Ordina Open, a final grass-court Wimbledon tuneup.

Qualifier Tanasugarn defeated third-seeded Safina 7-5, 6-3 to claim her first- ever title on grass and first finals win in five years. The 31-year-old Tanasugarn improved her dismal finals record to 2-6. Her last appearance in a final was in 2006.

World No. 85 Tanasugarn's road to the finals wasn't easy. She was on the brink of elimination in the second round, rallying back from 5-3 down in the third to beat American Ashley Harkleroad. Tanasugarn also went three sets with Michaella Krajicek in the quarterfinals and upset eighth-seeded Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko in the semifinals.

Despite the loss, Safina has been having a great season. She was this month's French Open runner-up to Serbian Ana Ivanovic and has won 15 of her last 17 matches, including a title in Berlin.

The 22-year-old Safina is now an even 6-6 in finals. Safina lost in the finale here in 2006 to Krajicek. The Russian has yet to win a title on grass.

Tanasugarn is the second qualifier to win a final this year. Nuria Llagostera Vives was the first, doing so at Bogota.

Tanasugarn pocketed $28,000 with the win.