STANFORD, CA, USA - The Bank of the West Classic began its amazing 40th edition on Monday and the most dramatic match came at the very end of the night, as Kimiko Date Krumm - who turns 40 years young in a few months - rallied back to beat former No.1 Dinara Safina in three sets, 46 76(0) 62.
Date Krumm, who defeated Safina in the first round of the French Open in May to become the oldest player ever to beat a Top 10 player, lost five games in a row to fall behind 64 20, seemingly headed for a straight set departure. But the Japanese veteran didn't let go, hanging tough with Safina from the baseline and pouncing with a love tie-break, then easing through the decider in 35 minutes.
"I had a short break after Wimbledon and this was my first time playing on hardcourt since Miami, so we weren't sure what would happen," Date Krumm said. "I played against Safina at Roland Garros but that was a different situation. I tried to forget about that and stay focused. I watched a DVD with my coach last night so I had a good idea of how I needed to play."
"In the important moments she played well," said Safina, who was playing her first tournament since the week before Wimbledon. "It was my first match back from injury, so I'm pretty positive and will keep working hard to improve day by day. My back feels fine, and that is the most important thing."
Check out pics of Kimiko and more in the photo gallery!
Another former No.1 trying to get back to her former form, Ana Ivanovic, had a better time, beating Alisa Kleybanova handily, 63 62. Ivanovic had lost to Kleybanova in three of their four previous meetings, including their last two.
"I'm really happy to see the things I've been working on in the past month show on the court," Ivanovic said. "I was getting to every ball and managed to keep the rallies going so I didn't have to pull the trigger too early. Alisa is a tough opponent and this is probably her best surface, so I'm very happy to win."
See 20 of Ana's best career moments in this special gallery!
The only seed in action on Day 1 was No.3 seed Agnieszka Radwanska, and she had a struggle on her hands against Chanelle Scheepers, who recently reached her first Grand Slam fourth round at the French. Radwanska was down 0-40 serving at 3-all in the third but won that game and took it, 75 46 63.
"It's always difficult to play someone you've never played, and it's also the first match I've played in four weeks. She's a good player though," Radwanska said. "I was home for two weeks but only practiced on clay courts. There are no hardcourts anywhere in Krakow. So I'm glad to have won this match."
Other winners were Olga Govortsova, who cruised past Alla Kudryavtseva, 61 61, and Dominika Cibulkova, who beat wildcard Hilary Barte, 62 62.
