Date bows out with ‘double bagel’ defeat

TOKYO: Japan’s Kimiko Date, the grande dame of women’s tennis, bowed out of the sport after being thrashed 6-0, 6-0 by Aleksandra Krunic at the Japan Open.

The former world No. 4, who turns 47 later this month, was simply no match for a Serbian opponent who at 24 is young enough to be Date’s daughter.

Krunic took just 49 minutes to inflict the dreaded “double bagel” on Date in a lop-sided first round encounter in Tokyo.

“It’s finally over,” a tearful Date told fans, many of whom were sobbing themselves.

“I feel sad mostly I guess but also really grateful for what tennis has given me,” added the eighttime WTA Tour singles champion, who took a 12-year hiatus from professional tennis after quitting at the peak of her powers in 1996. — AFP