S'HERTOGENBOSCH, The Netherlands (AFP) - World number one Dinara Safina suffered a blow ahead of Wimbledon when she was beaten 7-5, 7-5 by Thai star Tamarine Tanasugarn in the semi-finals of the WTA grasscourt tournament here.
It was a case of deja vu for the Russian - who is yet to win a Grand Slam after three finals appearances - as she lost in the final of the same tournament to 32-year-old Tamarine last year.
The Thai veteran, who has won two WTA Tour singles titles, came back from 4-2 down in the second set to win, raising her record against the top-seeded Russian to 2-1.
This one held special significance, however, as it was Tamarine's first career win over a reigning world No.1.
"Today was a very difficult match for both of us, especially because of the conditions - the wind kept on changing," said Tamarine.
"The match could have gone either way. I just tried to play my game and stay focused."
Tamarine, ranked 42 in the world, will meet Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer in the final after she disposed of Italy's Francesca Schiavone with a hard fought 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 6-3 victory.
It will be the third time the 19-year-old Belgian - ranked 72 in the world - will contest a WTA final having lost to Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko in Birmingham, though she won in Estoril last year.
Benjamin Becker had earlier won an all German battle in the ATP tournament as he beat fourth-seeded Rainer Schuttler in three sets to reach the final.
He will now play Dutchman Raemon Sluiter who defeated Ivan Navarro of Spain 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-3.
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