Tennis: Japan’s Date-Krumm, 42, breaks Open age record

Japan’s Kimiko Date-Krumm signs autographs as she celebrates after victory in her women’s singles match against Nadia Petrova of Russia on the second day of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 15, 2013. AFP PHOTO/WILLIAM WEST

MELBOURNE—Ageless Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm on Tuesday became the oldest woman to win a main draw match at the Australian Open, upsetting 12th seed Nadia Pedrova.

The Japanese number one, aged 42, crushed her opponent, who is 12 years younger, 6-2, 6-0 in just over one hour in hot conditions on an outside court at Melbourne Park.

In doing so, she surpassed Britain’s Virginia Wade as the oldest main draw winner. Wimbledon winner Wade won in 1985 when 40 years, 138 days.

Date-Krumm, a former top 10 player, still has some way to go to become the oldest winner at a Grand Slam. The record is held by Martina Navratilova, who was 47 when she won a match at Wimbledon in 2004.