Japan’s Ai Sugiyama has become a player with most successive Grand Slam appearances, 57, surpassing South Africa’s Wayne Ferreira’s record of 56.
World No.38 Sugiyama achieved this feat when she contested the first point in her first round match against Wimbledon debutant Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium. Sugiyama defeated Wickmayer 6-4 6-2.
“I’m very happy. When I heard the number of Grand Slams I have played, it’s actually really huge numbers,” said the 32-year-old Sugiyama, who is currently playing her 16th Wimbledon.
Sugiyama’s best performance at the grass-court Grand Slam was reaching the quarterfinals in 2004. (source: Reuters)
