Japanese Flag Waves Proudly as Sugiyama Advances

Unseeded Ai Sugiyama defeated her Japanese Fed Cup teammate Akiko Morigami on a cool night on Stadium Court. Sugiyama led 6-4, 4-3 when Morigami retired due to patellar tendonitis in her right knee.

Sugiyama advances to the 2005 Acura Classic singles final, where she will meet Mary Pierce of France.

In her semifinal victory, Sugiyama set the tone for the match as she held serve at love in the opening game and broke Morigami’s serve to take a 2-0 lead.

The match turned into a tense baseline battle with many long rallies. Sugiyama later served for the set at 5-3. Even though she fought off three break points, Sugiyama smashed and overhead wide and went on to lose the game.

Morigami then served to stay in the first set at 5-4, but fell behind 40-0 and lost the set when she double faulted.

In the second set, Morigami and Sugiyama exchanged service breaks twice and were on serve when Morigami retired from the match with her right knee ailment.

• Sugiyama is now 3-0 in career head-to-head meetings with Morigami.
• Sugiyama’s 2005 match record is now 17-18.
• Sugiyama is ranked 38 in the world.
• Sugiyama is making her 11 career Acura Classic appearance.
• Morigami is ranked 61 in the world.
• Morigami was playing in her third Acura Classic.
• Morigami’s 2005 match record is now 26-17.

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