26 May 2010

Date Krumm's prevails despite 15-year age gap

8:49 am on 26 May 2010

The Japanese tennis player, Kimiko Date Krumm, made a mockery of a 15-year age gap by stunning the former world number one, Russia's Dinara Safina, in three sets in the opening round at the French Open.

The 39-year-old made her French Open debut in 1989, when Safina was just three, and retired from tennis in 1996 before returning to the tour two years ago.

Date Krumm says the win is particularly satisfying, because clay isn't her favourite surface to play on.

Date Krumm prevailed despite losing the first set, and needing regular treatment on a calf miscle injury during the match.