Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm has broken her own record as the oldest women to win a singles match at the Australian Open with victory in the second round earlier today.
The 42-year-old proved too strong for former world number 11 Shahar Peer in Melbourne, triumphing in straight sets to win back-to-back matches at the event for the first time since 1995.
Date-Krumm admitted that the scorching heat at Melbourne Park challenged her fitness but believes that she has enough in the tank to continue her run in the tournament.
She told reporters: "I was leading 3‑0, then she come back 4‑3 up, and then I had the big pressure,.
"It was a big challenge for me because my body, when I was leading 3‑0, suddenly something big and strong on my back or made it feel so heavy and I couldn't move.
"But I just carried on and tried to push myself."
Date-Krumm will be back in action on Saturday in a third-round clash with either Bojana Jovanovski or Lucie Safarova.
Liam Power
