Thai me down in Kangaroo-land sport - Page 3© Michael Cecilio
Page 3
Jan 23, 2000
“You’re still thinking ‘oh, I missed that opportunity’ but I was trying to focus, come back and get my game back.
“She didn’t miss her shots – you have to give her credit for that, but I was still thinking ‘oh I lost that opportunity’. I tried to focus again and tried to play my game ... even after those match points but she was getting better and better.”
Indeed Sandrine’s game only got better and better as the match progressed, but at times, especially in the second and third sets, it seemed as if neither player particularly wanted to win the match. Deuces occurred in each of the games between 3-3 and 5-4 in the second set and just when a person seemed to get an advantage, it was lost on a cheap mistake. Just as Tamarine botched her opportunities in the second set to take the match, her momentum was halted by a rain delay. It could have theoretically helped Tanasugarn’s cause in order to allow her time to regroup after the heartbreaking loss of the second set. In fact, the complete opposite occurred. The tenacity around which her game is built was there, but her technique had all but deserted her. Were the on-and-off conditions difficult for the Thai, who is used to a daily dosage of sun in her native country?
“A little bit, but I don’t think the conditions were that difficult because you feel every tournament always has difficulties, like Wimbledon. It’s normal to me”. Despite the heartbreaking result, Tamarine has made her mark with the crowds, having gained the support from fellow Thais in Australia and tennis fans in general, due to her endearing performances in Australia this year.
“This year I think there’s quite a lot of Thai support from Melbourne or Australia, they’re coming over a lot more. (It’s) much different with this year and last year, probably from the Hopman (Cup)”.
This affable American-Thai citizen knows that when she comes back for next year’s Australian campaign, she is going to have the stands full of fans in support for “Tammy”. Tamarine Tanasugarn teams up with Argentinian Florencia Labat to take on the top seeded duo of American Lisa Raymond and Australian Rennae Stubbs in the second round of the women’s doubles championships.
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