Sugiyama and Hantuchova break up
Sheesh, someone should tell Daniela…
Ai Sugiyama confirmed Thursday she was looking for a new doubles partner to replace Daniela Hantuchova, with whom she has played regularly since May 2006.
Sugiyama and Hantuchova have won two Sony Ericsson WTA Tour titles since their permanent pairing–three overall–and reached the final at the French Open.
But the Japanese has been discouraged by recent outings–capped by a stunning first-round loss to Serbian Jelena Jankovic and American Bethanie Mattek 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 on Tuesday at the Toray Pan Pacific Open.
“I haven’t told her but since the U.S. Open, we’ve played good doubles but didn’t make a really great success together,” Sugiyama said. “Of course we are really good friends, but sometimes it’s not working out and I’d like to look for something else.”
Sugiyama’s mother and coach, Fusako, told the Japanese media of the impending breakup Wednesday. There were also reports that Sugiyama felt Hantuchova’s focus on singles resulted in a lack of commitment to doubles. Yomiuri