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resurgent Tamarine Tanasugarn became the first Asian player to join the Road To Bali this year for the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions in November when she defeated up-and-coming Belgian Yanina Wickmayer 6-3 7-5 in the final of the Ordina Open in one of the pre-Wimbledon grass-court warmups.

It was the third title of her career, after she won Hyderabad in 2003 and *s-Hertogenbosch in 2008. She is the first woman ever to win back-to-back titles at *s-Hertogenbosch.

Last year she had upset Dinara Safina in the final, and this year she did it again, beating the world number one 7-5 7-5 in the semi-finals to claim the best result of her career at 32-years of age.

Reflecting her love of grass, the 2008 Wimbledon quarterfinalist has claimed five of her seven career Top 10 wins on the surface, in 2001 over Nathalie Tauziat and Mauresmo, in 2008 over Dinara Safina and Jelena Jankovic and now another over Safina.

Her win over Safina established her as the first Thai player ever to beat a reigning world number one.

"It was a tough match," said Tammy.

"Yanina did a good job running me around. I'm happy I held on to win. Last year it was a great experience to win here and I'm so proud I could do it again. I love playing here."

The Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions will feature top Tour players and next generation champions competing in an innovative 12-woman round robin singles format, offering US$600,000 in prize money.

In addition, an incredible $1 million bonus will be paid to any player that can win three of the 30 International Series events, and the Tournament of Champions.

The top 10 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour players who have won at least one International tournament during the year and who are not participating in singles at the year-end Sony Ericsson Championships will qualify for the event, along with two wild cards.

The 12-woman event will feature four groups of three players in a round robin format, then a single-elimination semi-finals and final.