Kimiko Date Krumm took Maria Sharapova to the old school of tennis Monday, scoring one of the biggest wins in the history of the Japanese game with a three-set victory over the former world No. 1 in the first round of the Pan Pacific Open.
Date Krumm, the wild card and the oldest player in the draw who turns 40 on Tuesday, beat defending champion Sharapova 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 in a match that lasted 2 hours, 9 minutes on the center court at Ariake Colosseum.
"I think I'll remember the last day of my 30s for a long time," said Date Krumm, who faces Daniela Hantuchova in the next round. "Hopefully, I can enjoy the first day of my 40s just as much tomorrow."