 | Born: 5/7/75 Nationality: Japanese Seeded: 11 World ranking: 13 Wimbledon best:
4th round (1996 & 2003) Recent record:
2003: 4th round
2002: 3rd round
2001: 3rd round |
After enjoying a dramatic leap up the rankings last year, Sugiyama's renaissance appears to be fading. Two titles and wins over Lindsay Davenport and Kim Clijsters in 2003 saw her reach a new level after 10 years on the tour.
But since winning the Gold Coast tournament in January, life at the top has been something of a struggle.
She lost in the first round of the Australian Open and recently suffered a second round exit at Roland Garros.
At Wimbledon, Sugiyama has only ever reached the last 16 twice, in 1996 and 2003.
Her best Grand Slam performance remains a place in the quarter-finals at the Australian Open four years ago.
Although she is still a potent force in singles, Japan's top-ranked player has been one of the world's best doubles exponents for some years.
MMIX
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