Japan's Sugiyama finds form to beat Schnyder

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Japan's old-timer Ai Sugiyama ended a miserable run of recent first-round defeats with an impressive 6-4 6-4 win over Swiss 21st seed Patty Schnyder at Wimbledon on Monday.

The 33-year-old has endured one of the worst runs of her long career this year, failing to win a tour match since the second round of the Australian Open, but proved once again her liking for the All England Club grass.

"I'm really happy, especially as I haven't won for a long time in singles, and playing against Patty in the first round is tough," world number 38 Sugiyama, a quarter-finalist here in 2004, told Reuters.

"But grass courts, Patty doesn't like the grass. So I was thinking it's going to be a tough one but if I could play my game I thought I had a chance. It was really good to get through.

Sugiyama, a former Wimbledon, French Open and U.S. Open doubles champion, has a solid record in singles at Wimbledon and said she could not wait to return.

"I like the grass, especially with my game. I like fast courts, and I like the fast rhythm," she said. "I always enjoy being here and playing here.

"But, as I said, I haven't performed well in singles for a long time and I was a bit nervous at the beginning."

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