PARIS — Two-time French Open runner-up Russia's Dinara Safina lost in the first round at Roland Garros on Tuesday, falling to Kimiko Date Krumm of Japan 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.
The 39-year-old Date Krumm, who came out of a 12-year retirement in 2008, became the second oldest woman to win a match at Roland Garros in the Open era after Virginia Wade in 1985.
“I'm really happy. I tried my best,” Date Krumm said after the French crowd gave her a standing ovation.
Date Krumm is playing at the clay-court Grand Slam tournament for the first time since 1996. Date Krumm made her Grand Slam debut at the French Open in 1989, when Safina was 3 years old.
Playing with her right calf wrapped, Date Krumm committed 63 unforced errors but compensated with 38 winners, while the ninth-seeded Safina struggled with her first serve.
Safina, a former top-ranked player, was runner-up at Roland Garros in 2008 and 2009. After returning from a back injury, she lost opening matches in Rome and Madrid.
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