By Etienne Stekelenburg
February 8 2003

Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand won her first WTA title defeating Uzbeks Iroda Tulyaganova in straight sets 6-4 6-4. The Californian born Thai reached five finals in her career but failed to win every one of them. The # 32 ranked collected 95 points and $ 22.000 with her first Sanex WTA Tour title. The second seed Tamarine Tanasugarn outplayed fifth seed Iroda Tulyaganova using well placed serves. Tanasugarn lost the third game of the first set but broke back at love in the eight game. The Thai won the set after winning the tenth game.

Both players lost their serves in the second set but Tanasugarn held her own service in the third and the ninth game to win the second set and the match.

Tulyaganova, who was injured and ready for surgery after the Australian Open, was being treated for an ankle injury on court. The shoulder injury from last month doesn’t seem to both the Uzbek player anymore and surgery will be postponed.

Tanasugarn said it was a tough match and that Iroda was playing well. The serves turned out to be the key factor in winning the first title. Obviously she said she was very happy winning this first WTA Tour title.