YAAAAAAY, Tammy!!!!!!!!

Tammy turns it on

daily xpress
Published on June 21, 2008

Thai ace drubs Bondarenko to inch closer to second WTA title

Tamarine Tanasugarn underlined her good form by storming into the final of the US$175,000 Ordina Open in Den Bosch following an upset 6-2 6-4 victory over Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko.

Throughout the 75-minute contest, the veteran dominated her opponent with her ground strokes and serve, firing seven aces.

This is her second final on grass after the heart-breaking defeat to American Lisa Raymond in Birmingham eight years ago. Seven straight wins in the Dutch city have highlighted her skills on the surface which have helped her reach the Wimbledon 4th round on six occasions.

"I love grass. It suits my game,'' said the 31-year-old, in her first final since the 2006 Bangkok Open.

Tamarine cruised through the opening set in just 33 minutes and quickly strode to a

3-0 lead in the second before the Ukrainian fought back. The eighth-seed Bondarenko fought off two match points in the ninth game to break Tammy but failed to hold her own serve in the following game.

"I started well, hit well and served well. In the second set she made me hit more balls. I hung in there and went for my shots,'' said the qualifier who wore an orange cap to please the Dutch crowd.

In a career which began in 1994, she has appeared in seven WTA finals with her only title coming five years ago in Hyderabad.

She will face eighth-seed Dinara Safina, the Roland Garros runner-up, who beat Russian compatriot Elena Dementieva 6-3 6-2.