

16 men and 16 women have progressed through to the 2014 Wimbledon singles main draw, and none was more relieved or deserved it more than Japan’s Yuichi Sugita, who had failed on all 17 of his previous attempts to qualify for Grand Slams, dating back to the 2009 U.S. Open.





18th time is the charm for Yuichi Sugita, who qualifies for his first Grand Slam after 17 failed qualifying campaigns since 2009. — Josh Meiseles (@jmeistennis) June 19, 2014

Marco Chiudinelli of Switzerland, 6-4, 6-2, 7-5. Even if Sugita loses in the first round, he'll



Currently 143 in the world, Sugita peaked at 116 in 2012, the same year he dropped a five-setter to Michael Russell in the final round of Wimbledon qualifying.



Sugita is one of four Wimbledon qualifiers who will be making his first main draw appearance at a major: The 25-year-old had previously reached the final round of qualifying at Slams four times, and he dropped decisive sets in three of those matches. On Thursday, he defeatedof Switzerland, 6-4, 6-2, 7-5. Even if Sugita loses in the first round, he'll take home 27,000 British Pounds, which is approximately 46,000 U.S dollars. Currently 143 in the world, Sugita peaked at 116 in 2012, the same year he dropped a five-setter toin the final round of Wimbledon qualifying.Sugita is one of four Wimbledon qualifiers who will be making his first main draw appearance at a major:

There will be four men making their Grand Slam debuts at Wimbledon: Dan Smethurst, Yuichi Sugita, Konstantin Kravchuk and Tim Puetz. — Josh Meiseles (@jmeistennis) June 19, 2014