Sugiyama claims two titles

By Chris Davies
March 3 2003

Ai Sugiyama pulled off her biggest win in recent years after beating Kim Clijsters in the final of Scottsdale Farm Classic in Arizona

Ai Sugiyama who earlier on the day beat Alexandra Stevenson in a long and draining match she then went on to beat her doubles partner and world number 3 Kim Clijsters.

Sugiyama who last claimed her title 5 years ago had already beaten Linsday Davenport in the second round faced the odds against the Belguim.

Clijsters won the first set, but Sugiyama roared back for a 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory to claim her fourth career WTA title.

After splitting the first two sets and waiting out a 45-minute rain delay at the start of the third, Sugiyama broke serve in the decisive set to grab a 3-1 lead and held in the next game.

Clijsters won the next three games to even the set at 4-4, but Sugiyama held serve, then broke Clijsters again when the Belgian sent a forehand long on match point.

Sugiyama last won a title in 1998 when she captured the Gold Coast and Japan Open crowns. She also won the '97 Japan title.

Clijsters and Sugiyama then went on to beat Linsday Davenport and Lisa Raymond in the final of the doubles to claim Sugiyama's second title of the day.

A Sugiyama (Jpn) bt
2 K Clijsters (BEL)

3-6, 7-5, 6-4

A Sugiyama (JPN)
K Clijsters (BEL) bt

L Davenport (USA)
L Raymond (USA)

6-1, 6-4