Tamarine falls to Nagyova in semifinals

PATTAYA, Thailand -- Top-seeded Tamarine Tanasugarn lost in her home country Saturday, beaten by Slovakia's Henrieta Nagyova 6-2, 7-5 in the semifinals of the Volvo Women's Open.

Nagyova, who won this tournament in 1997, will play countrywoman Lubomira Kurhajcova for the title Sunday. Kurhajcova routed fourth-seeded Anca Barna of Germany 6-0, 6-0 in the other semifinal.

Tamarine started sluggishly and struggled with her serve. Nagyova reached the final for the third time at this event.

"She was playing well and handling the pressure well," Tamarine said. "I wished I could have won the tournament because everybody expected me to win."