Japan's Date defeated in final in her surprise comeback to pro tennis

The Associated Press
Published: May 4, 2008

GIFU, Japan: Former world's No. 4 Kimiko Date was beaten in the final of the Kangaroo Cup International Ladies Open on Sunday, taking some of the shine off her surprise return to professional tennis.

Date, playing in her first tournament since coming out of retirement at age 37, had come through qualifying to reach the final against Thai veteran Tamarine Tanasugarn. She won the first set 6-4 before Tamarine rallied to win the next two 7-5, 6-2 to claiming the $50,000 (€32,345) ITF event.

Date surprised many when she announced last month she would return to professional tennis. She initially retired in 1996, months after reaching the Wimbledon semifinals.

Date, who recently played an exhibition tournament with former rivals Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova in Tokyo, won seven WTA titles.

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