Stories
Biography
- Began playing tennis at age 13 at junior high school ... Coached by Yoshio Tanikawa; does off-court training with Koji Kawakami ... Favorite surface is hard; best shot is backhand ... Nickname is Shii-chan ... Father, Shuichi, is a businessman; mother, Chieko, is a housewife; has an older brother, Kazuhiko ... Graduated from high school in March 1995 and attended Sonoda University for two years on a full scholarship studying English and Chinese; is currently on leave from university to play tennis ... Went to the same high school as former Top 10 player Kimiko Date, whom she admires for all she achieved ... Also admires her parents ... Favorite city to visit is Kyoto and the Kiyomizu Temple for the beautiful view.
Plays
Right-HandedCareer High
21Height
5' 7'' (1.70 m)Birthday
Jun 28, 1976 June 28, 1976Birthplace
Hyogo, JapanCareer Highlights
SINGLES
Winner: 2002 - ITF/Haibara-JPN; 1999 - ITF/Claremont-USA, ITF/Noda-JPN; 1998 - ITF/Noda-JPN; 1997 - ITF/Caboolture-AUS; 1996 - ITF/Taipei-CHN, ITF/Kugayama-JPN, ITF/Kyoto-JPN.
Finalist (3): 2005 - Auckland; 2004 - Hobart; 2003 - Birmingham.
Semifinalist (3): 2005 - Tokyo [Pan Pacific]; 2003 - Acapulco; 2001 - Oklahoma City.
DOUBLES
Winner (8): 2006 - Amelia Island (w/Srebotnik); 2005 - Auckland (w/Srebotnik), Bangkok (w/Dulko); 2004 - Hobart (w/Okamoto), MontrTal [Canadian Open] (w/Sugiyama), Tokyo [Japan Open] (w/Srebotnik); 2002 - Birmingham (w/Callens), Tokyo [Japan Open] (w/Miyagi).
Finalist (4): 2006 - Acapulco (w/Loit); 2005 - Tokyo [Japan Open] (w/Vento-Kabchi); 2003 - Miami, Sarasota (both w/Miyagi).
ADDITIONAL
Japanese Fed Cup Team 1999-2001, 2003-04, 2006. Japanese Olympic Team 2000, 2004.