Daniela Hantuchova
Strong Is Beautiful
Francesca Schiavone

Aiko Nakamura

Jpn
Residence: Osaka, Japan
DOB: December 28, 1983
Birthplace: Osaka, Japan
Height: 5' 4" (1.63 m)
Weight: 123 lbs. (56 kg)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed both sides)
Status: Pro (1999)
JANUARY - Fell 1r at Auckland (as qualifier, l. to Vesnina); fell in Australian Open qualifying.

FEBRUARY - Went 1-0 in Japan's 4-1 Fed Cup World Group II loss to Serbia; fell in Memphis qualifying.

MARCH - Fell in Indian Wells qualifying.

APRIL - Fell in Ponte Vedra Beach qualifying; won ITF/Gifu-JPN singles and doubles title (w/Ferguson).

MAY - Fell in Roland Garros qualifying.

JUNE - Fell in Birmingham qualifying.
1999 - Played first event of career on ITF Circuit in Japan.

2000 - Did not play.

2001 - Continued to play on ITF Circuit.

2002 - Fell in Tour qualifying three times (incl. twice in Tokyo); won one doubles title on ITF Circuit.

2003 - Fell in Tour qualifying four times (incl. twice in Tokyo); also played on ITF Circuit.

2004 - Played first two Tour main draws, reaching 2r at Bali (d. No.14 Sugiyama in 1r for first Top 20 win) but falling 1r at Tokyo [Japan Open]; fell in Tour qualifying nine times (incl. all four majors); won two singles titles and one doubles title on ITF Circuit.

2005 - First Top 100 season; QF at Bali; reached 2r eight times (incl. Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open); fell 1r twice (incl. Roland Garros) and in Tour qualifying seven times; played all four majors in a season for first time; made Top 100 debut on February 7 (rose from No.106 to No.99).

2006 - Second Top 100 season; reached first Tour singles final at Tokyo [Japan Open] (l. to Bartoli in historic first final between players who hit w/two hands both sides); QF twice, at Canberra and Bangkok; reached 3r twice (incl. Australian Open) and 2r seven times (incl. US Open); fell 1r six times (incl. other two majors) and in Tour qualifying twice.

2007 - Third Top 100 season; QF twice, at Forest Hills and Bali; reached 3r once (Australian Open) and 2r eight times (incl. Wimbledon); fell 1r 10 times (incl. other two majors) and in Tour qualifying twice; made Top 50 debut on August 6 (rose from No.61 to No.47).

2008 - Reached 3r twice and 2r twice; fell 1r 14 times (incl. all four majors) and in Tour qualifying twice.
SINGLES
Winner: 2009 - ITF/Gifu-JPN; 2004 - ITF/Louisville, KY-USA, ITF/Haibara-JPN.
Finalist (1): 2006 - Tokyo [Japan Open].
Quarterfinalist (5): 2007 - Forest Hills, Bali; 2006 - Canberra, Bangkok; 2005 - Bali.

DOUBLES
Winner: 2009 - ITF/Gifu-JPN (w/Ferguson); 2004 - ITF/Ho Chi Minh City-VIE (w/Fujiwara); 2002 - ITF/Evansville, IN-USA (w/Kim).
Finalist (1): 2008 - Tokyo [Japan Open] (w/Morita).

ADDITIONAL
Japanese Fed Cup Team, 2005-06, 2008-09.
Coached by Eiji Takeuchi ... Began playing tennis at age 5; parents also played ... Has one older sister, Shoko ... Enjoys shopping, movies, listening to music ... Trains by lifting weights, swimming and running ... Admires Monica Seles for her similar two-handed play on both sides.