Thailand rejoices in Tamarine's Wimbledon success

Photo: AFP

BANGKOK — Thailand rejoiced Tuesday as tennis star Tamarine Tanasugarn became the kingdom's first player to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final after an upset victory over Serbian Jelena Jankovic at Wimbledon.

Tamarine, 31, stunned second seed Jankovic with a straight set win, 6-3, 6-2, bursting into tears of joy after the last point.

"It's awesome and unprecedented," Suwat Liptapanlop, chairman of the Thai Tennis Association told AFP.

"She has made great progress despite being in the final stage of her career. Her success proves that she has strong determination. It's historic," he said.

Tamarine's victory was splashed across the front pages of Thailand's newspapers, as elated sports commentators reveled in her win.

A photo of a triumphant Tamarine in the Daily XPress tabloid was accompanied by a headline that simply read: "Yes!"

"Tammy shocks the world," proclaimed Siamsport Daily in its editorial, while the Bangkok Post declared: "Tamarine stuns Jankovic in historic victory".

Thailand's Daily News said Tamarine's win will earn her 6.5 million baht (195,000 dollars).

The unseeded player, ranked number 60 in the world, has entered the UK Grand Slam six times previously, losing in the fourth round each time.

Los Angeles born Tamarine is now the oldest woman left in the competition.

Source: AFP