ESPN.com | Tennis | Player Index

Ai Sugiyama
Height: 5-foot-4
Weight: 115
Plays: Right-handed
Career Titles: 3
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Birthdate: July 5, 1975


Career Highlights

1998

  • With partner Elena Likhovtseva, qualified for the season-ending Chase Championships for the first time as one of the world's top eight doubles teams.

  • Earned her second career singles title on the WTA Tour at Gold Coast, Australia, in the first week of the season without the loss of a set. Also won the doubles title with Elena Likhovtseva.

  • The week following her win at Gold Coast, upset world No. 11 Conchita Martinez en route to the semifinals in Sydney.

  • Seeded for the first time at a Grand Slam at the Australian Open (seeded 16th), advancing to the fourth round. Her world ranking rose to a then-career high No. 16 following the tournament.

  • Captured her second title of by defending her crown at the Japan Open, becoming the third player to win the tournament more than once.

  • Recorded biggest victory of career at the German Open, defeating world No. 4 Amanda Coetzer to reach the quarterfinals.

  • After defeating Jennifer Capriati in the first round at San Diego, upset Steffi Graf 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 -- both Capriati and Graf were former champions there and had undefeated records at the tournament.

  • Joined the Million Dollar Club in career prize money.

    1997

  • Ranked among the world's Top 20 players for the first time in November.

  • Won first-ever Tour singles title at the Japan Open, defeating three-time finalist Amy Frazier for the crown and earned her first win in three tries over Kimberly Po in the semifinals.

  • Ranked No. 30, defeated four higher-ranked opponents, including No. 9 Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, to reach the final of Moscow, losing to No. 2 Jana Novotna. It marked her first Tier I tournament final and the win over Sanchez Vicario was her third over a Top 10 player.

  • Reached final at first tournament of the year at the Gold Coast, falling to third seed Elena Likhovtseva in a three-set final.

  • Teamed with Monica Seles for the first time at Toyota Princess Cup in Tokyo to win the doubles title.

  • Scored Japan's only victory in a 4-1 loss to France in the first round of the Fed Cup by defeating 12th-ranked Mary Pierce 7-5, 6-7, 6-4.

  • Upset 10th-ranked Jana Novotna in third round at Lipton for her first win over a Top 10 player.

    1996

  • Earned first career win over a Top 5 player and second of year over a Top 10 player at Wimbledon, upsetting fifth-ranked Anke Huber to reach fourth round, her best Wimbledon showing.

  • Representing Japan, ousted 15th seed Martina Hingis of Switzerland in second round at Olympics.

    1995

  • One of career-best Grand Slam performances came at Roland Garros, reaching fourth round.


  • TENNIS MEN: Results/Sched  |  Rankings  WOMEN: Results/Sched  |  Rankings

    Copyright 1995-98 ESPN/Starwave Partners d/b/a ESPN Internet Ventures. All rights reserved. Do not duplicate or redistribute in any form.ESPN.com Privacy Policy (Updated 01/08/98). Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service (Updated 01/12/98).