Kimiko Date Krumm celebrated her 40th birthday with a place in the third round of the Pan Pacific Open on Tuesday after opponent Daniela Hantuchova retired injured while trailing their match 2-6, 6-0, 4-0.
Date Krumm rolled back the years to oust former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova on Monday, but the veteran's giant-killing momentum seemed to have evaporated when Hantuchova took the first set a day later at Ariake Colosseum.
Date Krumm then stormed back to win the next 10 straight games in impressive fashion, but the extent of a shoulder injury sustained by her Slovakian opponent early in the second set eventually became clear as Hantuchova conceded the match.