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Top Japanese female player anything but a star back home
Paris, May 26: Ai Sugiyama cruised into the second round of the French Open yesterday, beating France`s Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-3.
Paris, May 26: Ai Sugiyama cruised into the second round of the French Open yesterday, beating France's Marion Bartoli 6-4, 6-3.
Sugiyama, the No 12 at Roland Garros, wrapped up the first set in 39 minutes and quickly opened up a 3-0 lead in the second, before Bartoli rallied slightly.
"It was pretty tough, first round matches usually are here," Sugiyama said afterward.
The 28-year-old Japanese player has never been beyond the fourth round at Roland Garros. Her best grand slam showing is a quarterfinal loss at the Australian Open in 2000.
Back home in Kanagawa, Sugiyama can walk around a supermarket without being overwhelmed by fans - because she's not quite a superstar.
The top Japanese female tennis player doesn't command the same media spotlight as soccer star Hidetoshi Nakata - the former Roma midfielder - and baseball players Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees and Kazuo Matsui of the New York Mets.
"I can enjoy going to restaurants," she said. "People recognize me but they give me some space. I feel comfortable being at home. I don't get swamped."
Bureau Report
Sugiyama, the No 12 at Roland Garros, wrapped up the first set in 39 minutes and quickly opened up a 3-0 lead in the second, before Bartoli rallied slightly.
"It was pretty tough, first round matches usually are here," Sugiyama said afterward.
The 28-year-old Japanese player has never been beyond the fourth round at Roland Garros. Her best grand slam showing is a quarterfinal loss at the Australian Open in 2000.
Back home in Kanagawa, Sugiyama can walk around a supermarket without being overwhelmed by fans - because she's not quite a superstar.
The top Japanese female tennis player doesn't command the same media spotlight as soccer star Hidetoshi Nakata - the former Roma midfielder - and baseball players Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees and Kazuo Matsui of the New York Mets.
"I can enjoy going to restaurants," she said. "People recognize me but they give me some space. I feel comfortable being at home. I don't get swamped."
Bureau Report