Becker, Tamarine triumph at Den Bosch

Eurosport - Sat, 20 Jun 17:11:00 2009

Germany's Benjamin Becker defeated Dutch wild card entry Raemon Sluiter 7-5 6-3 to win the Den Bosch Open final.

TENNIS 2009 ATP 's-Hertogenbosch GERMANY Becker - 0

In the women's event, Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand had earlier successfully defended her title by defeating 19-year-old Yanina Wickmayer 6-3 7-5.

Becker, ranked 82 in the world, won the title in 115 minutes against an opponent playing in his first tournament since returning to the sport from retirement.

"I want to first congratulate Benny. He was simply the better one today," crowd favourite Sluiter said.

The 31-year-old also told a packed centre court speculation he might retire again if he lost the tournament was incorrect.

"I don't have the feeling that I have missed chances this week. I have more the feeling that I took chances," Sluiter said.

Becker, speaking in his native German, said he would return to defend his title next year, adding that Sluiter had made an unbelievable comeback.

The unseeded Tamarine, who defeated Russian world number one Dinara Safina in the semi-finals, swiftly took the first set in her final before meeting more resistance from Wickmayer, carrying a leg injury, in the second.

The 32-year-old Thai, wearing an orange coloured hat, eventually broke Belgian Wickmayer's serve in the 12th game of the set to take the match.

"I'd like to congratulate Yanina. You played a great a tournament. Definitely, I'm dead at the end," the world number 47 told centre court after accepting her trophy.

"You're making me run so much and playing so well."

Wickmayer's performance could lift the world number 72 and Belgium's highest ranked woman towards the top 50.

Reuters

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  1. Unfortunately she's in Serenas quarter so a­ definate 4th round is possible - well you can pencil­ her in for the 4th round as she gets there most years­ anyway at Wimbledon - but I don't see her going any­ farther than that. I see the All England Club­ didn't feel it necessary to bump her ranking to a­ seeding like they did for that banshee based on her­ grass court credentials then again I guess 6 4th round­ appeareances and a QF last year don't warrant a top­ 32 seeded place in their eyes.

    From mohawk393939, on Sat 20 Jun 4:15PM
  2. Hope Thailand's flag will be at all england club on­ the secound week of the tournament.

    From jiew_39, on Sat 20 Jun 3:43PM
  3. Well done Tamarine not bad for 32 year old keep going­ hope you play well at wimbledon good luck.

    From AJ, on Sat 20 Jun 3:15PM
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