Sugiyama bows out after record appearance

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Japan's Ai Sugiyama, who this week set a record of 57 consecutive appearances at grand slams, bowed out in the third round of Wimbledon on Saturday, beaten 6-4 6-4 by Russian teenager Alisa Kleybanova.

The 32-year-old is now replaced as the oldest survivor in the women's singles by 31-year-old Thai Tamarine Tanasugarn who reached the fourth round by beating Marina Erakovic of New Zealand in three sets.

"I'm a little bit disappointed after losing this, but I think she played really great," Sugiyama, who was playing in her 16th consecutive Wimbledon and possibly last, told reporters.

Asked if she would be back next year, the former top-10 player and grand slam doubles champion, said she would wait and see.

"Each grand slam is the bonus for me and I'm sure I'm going to play U.S. Open. But about the next year, I don't know yet.

"I'm not looking forward too much, so I'll just try to stay positive and see how much more I can play."

China's Peng Shuai also lost in the third round on Saturday, going down 6-3 1-6 6-4 to Maria Sharapova's conqueror Alla Kudryavtseva. Zheng Jie is the last Chinese in the women's singles after her demolition of top seed Ana Ivanovic on Friday.

(Editing by Clare Lovell)