[ex hopman]

WOW, what with Ai's current slump ( ) and Shinobu's good start to the year, I wonder if Shin can become Japanese No.1?!?! I think its possible!

When was the last time Ai wasn't Japanese no.1???

When Naoko Sawamatsu was there, maybe!?

 

[ex hopman]

Shino's diary March 28

Today, on the 3rd round, I defeated Francesca Schavone!!
I lost to her at the Olympic, so that was a good revenge!
During the practice in the morning, I was a bit tired, but once the game began, I could move really well. I could attack before her, so it looked easier than I thought. Well, what I can move well on the court is... thanks to Coach Tanikawa and Trainer Yamashita.
Before the match, I had really hard training with them. so I could play like this. Thanks~, thanks~

Next! Sharapova! I need one more revenge from Toray! I'll try my best!~

 

[ex hopman]

March 29, Shino's diary

From Miami

Today's 4th R, I played Sharapova and lost by 1-6, 2-6.
I could get to 30-30, but one more point was very far away from there.
From now on, it's not like more techniques, more mental. That's what I need to improve now. I felt like she had a stronger mental that "I want this point!".
Anyway, let's move on... and I'll try to improve on this with practicing more.

It'll be the clay court tournament in Amelia Island next week!

 

[ex hopman]

Apr. 2 Shino's diary

Finally, I arrived in Amelia Island.
Whew!! I am so tired today!! Well, I heard it would take us 6 hours from Miami... but we stopped by at so many places... and it took us 10 hours!
but in the car, I slep and sang a song...and after all, it was fun.

Mr. Yamashita left for Japan yesterday... so now me only with Coach Tanikawa...and I feel a bit sad... but as soon as I got here, Akiko and Aiko were already here...so we went to Teppan Yaki (Japanese food) all together.

The hotel here is really nice. I got a gorgeous oceanview from the winter!
It's late now... but I'll take some pictures soon.

Nite!!

 

[ex hopman]

Apr. 4 Shino's diary

The first round will begin from tomorrow.
My first round opponent will be Mashoa Washington.
A while ago, there was a final between Kraicek and Washington at Wimbledon... and she's his sister.
She has such a good power, but I know she has some rough parts... and this is a clay court... so I will just be attacking her patiently.

Here's a picture (on the website) of the view from my window... maybe too bright from the sunrise??

 

[ex hopman]

Apr. 5 Shino's diary

I did it!
On the first round, I won over Washington with 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.
It wasn't easy, but winning after two and a half hours in this hot weather was really a big victory for me. This was my first clay court this season...and I could be patient till the last point...I believe that will be my big confidence.

On my second round, I'll play either Lisa Raymond or a qualifier.
I've played Raymond three times before...but I've never won.
I'd LOVE to revenge...so I want Raymond to win the first round!!

Here's a picture with Aiko Nakamura and her coach, Mr. Harada on the way to dinner. Nice looking with a habor view isnt it?

 

[ex hopman]

http://www.shinobu-asagoe.com/index.html

is shino's website run by NEC, her sponsor.

 

[ex hopman]

Apr. 11 Shino's message

I did it!!! I could win over the no.6 ranked and the last year's FO champion by 7-6, 7-6!! That was my best happening ever in my clay court games! I could move her around from left to right, and could attack her really well.

BUT,
my match was postponed and two hours later of the match, I played Russia's Petrove on QF. I started off the match well, but couldn't get games...and lost 0-6. I got the second back 6-0, but lost in 3rd 2-6.

However, these performance I could play during the 4 games on the surface I thought I was not good at gave me so much confidence this time.

Charleston, the next tournament is the last one for this tour...so will try my best!!!

 

[ex hopman]

Apr. 12 Shino's diary

This is the last week of this trip to the US.
Okay, I want to play my best!!

I had my first round match today against a qualifier. Lee-Waters came back to the tour after she had a baby. There are so many tough players these days!

The pic is from the party!!!

 

[ex hopman]

Apr. 13 Shino's diary

From Charleston

I won with (5)6-7, 6-0, 6-2.
On the 1st set, I lost it after having two SPs... but that gave me more concentrations for the second and third...I should say...

Tomorrow's opponent is Shaughnessy (USA). Today's opponent too, but she's a big hitter...so before she hits the hard shots, I'll try to attack beforehand.

After the match, I practiced near the tournament. There was an alligator in the pond. I was very suprised!! Coach Tanigawa was having fun and got closer to the pond... and suddenly the alligator moved! He was scared of the "wild" alligator!

 

[ex hopman]

Apr. 15 Shino's diary



I lost to Czech's Vadisova by 6-3, 4-6, 6-7 on my third singles round.
On the final set, I could come back from 2-5 to 6-5, but couldn't take one more there.
My assignment from now on is to keep my service percentage up. The first set was ok, but I didn't do well after the second.
To improve my level from here, I would need to attack from the first service more. I shouldn't be passive to win over top players. so the first serve is a key.

Tomorrow, I still have a doubles 3R, but the singles on this american tour is finished. Compared to the past, I played very well. I've gotten more motivation to do better and go even higher.

I hope to do my top performance on the next european tour from these experiences on this clay court season.
I'll fly back to Japan and practice and have trainings, and take a rest...
ok, i'll do my best again!!

 

[ex hopman]

Apr. 19 Shino's diary



On the 17th, I came home via Narita Airport.
Next day, I went to Kyoto to see the cherryblossom (I made it!!). From everywhere was these great cherryblossoms...it was awesome.

On the way back from there, I went to my old coach/teacher (Mr. Mitsukuni)'s grave. I wish he was still around!!

It was been a long time to enjoy the day without tennis.

Tonight, you can see me a bit on TV ("Gakko e iko").

 

[ex hopman]

Shino dropped a msg for Rika!! (Apr. 19)

You did it!!! by Shino-rin

Congrats to get into the French's MD!!
Your great efforts at Indian Wells really helped huh!!
It took me 10 qualifyings to get into the GS's MD...so I felt like it was my thing and I was happy for you! Let's do it in Paris together, ok!!!

I came back from America on Sunday, and I went to Kyoto to see cherryblossoms. I enjoy my days off.

I wish the Japan team's victory!
Take care of yourself and say hi to everyone!!

 

[ex hopman]

Aww I miss the cherry blossoms this year But they, and Shinobu, look beautiful in that pic!!

You weren't in Japan this spring??
If you go to the north, you can still make it!!

Yeah, Shino looks great in the pic!!

 

[ex hopman]

May 16 Shino's diary

From Strousburg


My first try at Rome was unfortunately the first round loss.

I went to Italy for the Universiade (sp?) 7 years ago. I stayed at Sicily,and that time people said Silicy was the most dangerous place in the world...so I didn't step out from the hotel at all...I couldn't enjoy "the Italy" that time, but this time I enjoyed the country!

First, are there any traffic rules? there were so much street pakings and people drive like 180km/h!! I felt like I'd pull my muscle to hold on...

But, nice Italy! Pasta & Pizza r awesome!! I tried many different good food...and I ate so much!

Since two days earlier, I came here to Strousboug, France.
This trip, actually, my parents r with me. They've been to Australian, Wimbledon and US, but this is their first time to come to tour level tournaments. They are with me for this 4 weeks.

Their original purpose of this trip was to support me and Coach Tanikawa... but rather than that, they are just enjoying themselves here... but anyway, the more the merrier! It's cheering me up too.

 

[ex hopman]

yeah, that looks good.

btw, shino will play the fedcup against Bulgaria in Japan.
after her loss to the 15yo girl, she's so desparate to give her revenge!!!

 

[ex hopman]

Oct 17 Shino's diary entry

We did it!
We defeated Martinez and Ruano Pascal team and won the doubles title in Bangkok!!
I didn't know but this was my seventh title!!
It was the first time playing with Dulko, so we didn't think we came this far!
At the beginning, I didnt have any confidence about doubles...but right now... I am becoming more like a doubles player?? I need to do well in singles!!!

The matched finished around 7pm...and all errands done..and we left the hotel around 9pm..and flew to Switzerland. We just go here.

The plane got landed and saw everyone started wearing jackets, coats, etc... Ah, me and my coach were the only ones who just wore jeans and tee shirts!!
It was really hot in Bangkok... so we didn't think about the warm clothes!!

Everybody else looked at us like "who are these people!?" We were laughing about it at the airport... but it's freezing here!! Maybe I feel that since I came from a HOT place.

We got here around 6 in the morning... I'll take a nap a bit and practice today. My match will be tomorrow...not much time for practice, but will do my best!!

 

[ex hopman]

saw some pics and comments on her site...

she's been relaxing and doing some tv/radio jobs lately.

 

[ex hopman]

I speak Japanese as well.

She's been training already. I am not sure if she has any exhibitions in Japan this winter or not... She will train hard again...and I am sure she can do something big next year again!

 

[ex hopman]

Shinobu announced today that she'll retire from the tour at this year's US open.

"From the end of the last season, I couldn't play the tennis that I wanted to play. I started getting tired from the tour life."