2006 Maria Sharapova tennis season

Last updated
2006 Maria Sharapova tennis season
Sharapova win US open.jpg
Maria Sharapova won her second Grand Slam title at the US Open.
Full nameMaria Sharapova
Country Flag of Russia.svg Russia
Singles
Calendar titles5
Year-end rankingNo. 2
Ranking change from previous yearIncrease2.svg2
Grand Slam & significant results
Australian Open SF
French Open 4R
Wimbledon SF
US Open W
Last updated on: 3 February 2013.

Results and statistics from Maria Sharapova's 2006 tennis season.

Contents

Yearly summary

Australian Open series

Maria Sharapova began her season at the Australian Open, as the fourth seed. After overcoming a tricky section which included Serena Williams and Daniela Hantuchová, she reached the semi-finals for the second (of four) consecutive year, where she fell in three sets to Justine Henin-Hardenne. [1]

Indian Wells & Miami

Sharapova won her first title of the year at Indian Wells, by defeating compatriot Elena Dementieva in the final in straight sets; it was her first title since she won Birmingham in 2005, and it was the eleventh final out of the last thirteen contested in which she won. [2] Her good form continued into Miami, where she also reached the final for the second consecutive year. However, she was defeated in straight sets by Svetlana Kuznetsova; this marked only the fourth final in which she lost. [3] After the latter defeat, Sharapova took two months off the Tour to recover from a foot injury.

European clay court season

Sharapova was seeded fourth at the French Open. In the first round, she overcame Mashona Washington, saving three match points in the process. [4] She then lost in the fourth round to Dinara Safina (after leading 5–1 in the final set), thus failing to make the quarter-finals of the French Open for the first time since 2003. [5]

Wimbledon

Sharapova was again seeded fourth at Wimbledon, where she reached the semi-finals for the third consecutive year. After winning her first three matches in straight sets, she was more sternly tested by Flavia Pennetta in the fourth round, but still pulled through in three sets.

In the final eight, she faced first-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist Elena Dementieva and won through in straight sets after a streaker briefly interrupted the match in the second set. [6]

In the semi-finals, she lost to Amélie Mauresmo, who eventually captured the title. [7] This marked the fifth time since her Wimbledon victory in 2004 in which she lost to the eventual champion at a Major, and also the fifth time in which she was defeated in the semi-finals of a Major tournament.

US Open series

In the lead-up to the US Open, Sharapova captured her second title of the season by defeating Kim Clijsters in the final of the Acura Classic in San Diego, and in doing so claimed her first victory over the Belgian in five attempts. [8]

Sharapova entered the US Open as the third seed. She defeated Michaëlla Krajicek, Émilie Loit, Elena Likhovtseva, Li Na and Tatiana Golovin all in straight sets, before being tested in three sets by World No. 1 Amélie Mauresmo, who had beaten her at Wimbledon earlier in the year. Sharapova would be too good for the Frenchwoman this time, winning in three sets, two of which were won without dropping a game. [9] In the final, she faced Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne, who had previously captured the title in 2003 (and would do so again in 2007), and recorded an impressive straight sets victory to claim her second Grand Slam title at just 19 years of age. [10]

Fall series

After her success at the us open she won back to back titles at the tier 1 Zurich Open by defeating Shahar Pe'er, Timea Bacsinszky, Katarina Srebotnik, Daniela Hantuchova. She also won the tier 2 Linz Open by defeating Nadia Petrova in the final and thus taking her 5th title of the year.

WTA Tour Championships

Sharapova qualified for the year-end WTA Tour Championships for the third consecutive year, having captured five titles during the regular season. As the second seed, she was drawn in the Red Group along with Kim Clijsters, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Dementieva. Sharapova went through the round robin stage undefeated, and thus qualified for the semi-finals after finishing first in the group.

The semi-final saw her up against Justine Henin-Hardenne for the fourth time in the year. Sharapova was defeated in straight sets, thus bringing an end to her otherwise impressive 2006 season.

All matches

This table chronicles all the matches of Sharapova in 2006, including walkovers (W/O) which the WTA does not count as wins. They are marked ND for non-decision or no decision.

Key
W F SFQF#RRRQ#P#DNQAZ#POGSBNMSPNH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (P#) preliminary round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (Z#) Davis/Fed Cup Zonal Group (with number indication) or (PO) play-off; (G) gold, (S) silver or (B) bronze Olympic/Paralympic medal; (NMS) not a Masters tournament; (P) postponed; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.
To avoid confusion and double counting, these charts are updated at the conclusion of a tournament or when the player's participation has ended.

Singles matches

Tournament#RoundOpponentResultScore
Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
16–29 January 2006
1
1R
Flag of Germany.svg Sandra Klösel
Win
6–2, 6–1
2
2R
Flag of the United States.svg Ashley Harkleroad
Win
6–1, 7–5
3
3R
Flag of Croatia.svg Jelena Kostanić
Win
6–0, 6–1
4
4R
Flag of Slovakia.svg Daniela Hantuchová
Win
6–4, 6–4
5
QF
Flag of Russia.svg Nadia Petrova
Win
7–6(8–6), 6–4
6
SF
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Justine Henin-Hardenne
Loss
6–4, 1–6, 4–6
Pacific Life Open
Indian Wells, United States of America
Tier I
Hard, outdoor
6–19 March 2006
1R
Bye
2R
Flag of the United States.svg Jamea Jackson
Win
6–4, 6–3
3R
Flag of the United States.svg Lisa Raymond
Win
6–4, 6–0
4R
Flag of Israel.svg Shahar Pe'er
Win
7–6(7–2), 6–1
QF
Flag of Germany.svg Anna-Lena Grönefeld
Win
6–1, 6–3
SF
Flag of Switzerland.svg Martina Hingis
Win
6–3, 6–3
W
Flag of Russia.svg Elena Dementieva
Win (1)
6–1, 6–2
NASDAQ-100 Open
Miami, United States of America
Tier I
Hard, outdoor
20 March–2 April 2006
1R
Bye
2R
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Li Na
Win
6–2, 6–4
3R
Flag of Italy.svg Maria Elena Camerin
Win
6–2, 7–6(7–2)
4R
Flag of Russia.svg Maria Kirilenko
Win
3–6, 6–4, 6–1
QF
Flag of Russia.svg Anastasia Myskina
Win
6–4, 6–4
SF
Flag of France.svg Tatiana Golovin
Win
6–3, 6–7(5–7), 4–3, ret.
F
Flag of Russia.svg Svetlana Kuznetsova
Loss (2)
4–6, 3–6
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam
Clay, outdoor
28 May–11 June 2006
1R
Flag of the United States.svg Mashona Washington
Win
6–2, 5–7, 7–5
2R
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Iveta Benešová
Win
6–4, 6–1
3R
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Alicia Molik
Win
6–0, 7–5
4R
Flag of Russia.svg Dinara Safina
Loss
5–7, 6–2, 5–7
Wimbledon
London, Great Britain
Grand Slam
Grass, outdoor
26 June–9 July 2006
1R
Flag of Israel.svg Anna Smashnova
Win
6–2, 6–0
2R
Flag of the United States.svg Ashley Harkleroad
Win
6–2, 6–2
3R
Flag of the United States.svg Amy Frazier
Win
6–3, 6–2
4R
Flag of Italy.svg Flavia Pennetta
Win
7–6(7–5), 3–6, 6–3
QF
Flag of Russia.svg Elena Dementieva
Win
6–1, 6–4
SF
Flag of France.svg Amélie Mauresmo
Loss
3–6, 6–3, 2–6
Acura Classic
San Diego, United States of America
Tier I
Hard, outdoor
29 July–6 August 2006
1R
Bye
2R
Flag of Russia.svg Vasilisa Bardina
Win
6–4, 6–1
3R
Flag of Russia.svg Vera Zvonareva
Win
6–4, 6–4
QF
Flag of France.svg Mary Pierce
Win
6–2, 6–3
SF
Flag of Switzerland.svg Patty Schnyder
Win
7–5, 6–4
W
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Kim Clijsters
Win (2)
7–5, 7–5
US Open
New York City, United States of America
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
28 August–10 September 2006
1R
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Michaëlla Krajicek
Win
6–3, 6–0
2R
Flag of France.svg Émilie Loit
Win
6–0, 6–1
3R
Flag of Russia.svg Elena Likhovtseva
Win
6–3, 6–2
4R
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Li Na
Win
6–4, 6–2
QF
Flag of France.svg Tatiana Golovin
Win
7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–0)
SF
Flag of France.svg Amélie Mauresmo
Win
6–0, 4–6, 6–0
W
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Justine Henin-Hardenne
Win (3)
6–4, 6–4
Zurich Open
Zurich, Switzerland
Tier I
Hard, indoor
16–22 October 2006
1R
Bye
2R
Flag of Israel.svg Shahar Pe'er
Win
6–4, 7–6(7–4)
QF
Flag of Switzerland.svg Timea Bacsinszky
Win
6–4, 6–3
SF
Flag of Slovenia.svg Katarina Srebotnik
Win
7–6(7–3), 6–2
W
Flag of Slovakia.svg Daniela Hantuchová
Win (4)
6–1, 4–6, 6–3
Generali Ladies Linz
Linz, Austria
Tier II
Hard, indoor
23–29 October 2006
1R
Bye
2R
Flag of Greece.svg Eleni Daniilidou
Win
7–5, 6–1
QF
Flag of Yugoslavia (1992-2003); Flag of Serbia and Montenegro (2003-2006).svg Ana Ivanovic
Win
7–6(7–3), 7–5
SF
Flag of Switzerland.svg Patty Schnyder
Win
7–5, 7–5
W
Flag of Russia.svg Nadia Petrova
Win (5)
7–5, 6–2
WTA Tour Championships
Madrid, Spain
WTA Tour Championships
Hard, indoor
7–12 November 2006
RR
Flag of Russia.svg Svetlana Kuznetsova
Win
6–1, 6–4
RR
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Kim Clijsters
Win
6–4, 6–4
RR
Flag of Russia.svg Elena Dementieva
Win
6–1, 6–4
SF
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Justine Henin-Hardenne
Loss
2–6, 6–7(5–7)

Tournament schedule

Singles Schedule

DateChampionshipLocationCategorySurfacePrev. resultNew resultOutcome
16 January 2006–
29 January 2006
Australian Open Melbourne (AUS) Grand Slam tournament HardSFSFLost in the semi-finals against Justine Henin-Hardenne
6 March 2006–
19 March 2006
Pacific Life Open Indian Wells (USA)Tier IHardSFWWon in the final against Elena Dementieva
20 March 2006–
2 April 2006
NASDAQ-100 Open Miami (USA)Tier IHardFFLost in the final against Svetlana Kuznetsova
28 May 2006–
11 June 2006
French Open Paris (FRA) Grand Slam tournament ClayQF4RLost in the fourth round against Dinara Safina
26 June 2006–
9 July 2006
The Championships, Wimbledon London (GBR) Grand Slam tournament GrassSFSFLost in the semi-finals against Amélie Mauresmo
29 July 2006–
6 August 2006
Acura Classic San Diego (USA)Tier IHardDNPWWon in the final against Kim Clijsters
28 August 2006–
10 September 2006
US Open New York (USA) Grand Slam tournament HardSFWWon in the final against Justine Henin-Hardenne
16 October 2006–
22 October 2006
Zurich Open Zurich (SUI)Tier IHard (i)DNPWWon in the final against Daniela Hantuchová
23 October 2006–
29 October 2006
Generali Ladies LinzLinz (AUT)Tier IIHard (i)DNPWWon in the final against Nadia Petrova
7 November 2006–
12 November 2006
WTA Tour Championships Madrid (ESP) WTA Tour Championships HardSFSFLost in the semi-finals against Justine Henin-Hardenne

Yearly Records

Head-to-head matchups

Ordered by number of wins

Finals

Singles: 7 (5–2)

Category
Grand Slam (1–0)
WTA Tier I (3–1)
WTA Tier II (1–1)
Titles by surface
Hard (5–2)
Titles by conditions
Outdoors (3–2)
Indoors (2–0)
OutcomeNo.DateChampionshipSurfaceOpponent in the finalScore in the final
Runner-up3.February 26, 2006 Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg Dubai, United Arab EmiratesHard Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Justine Henin-Hardenne 5–7, 2–6
Winner11.March 19, 2006 Flag of the United States.svg Indian Wells, USA (1)Hard Flag of Russia.svg Elena Dementieva 6–1, 6–2
Runner-up4.April 1, 2006 Flag of the United States.svg Miami, USA (2)Hard Flag of Russia.svg Svetlana Kuznetsova 4–6, 3–6
Winner12.August 6, 2006 Flag of the United States.svg San Diego, USA (1)Hard Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Kim Clijsters 7–5, 7–5
Winner13.September 9, 2006 Flag of the United States.svg New York City, USA (1)Hard Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Justine Henin-Hardenne 4–6, 4–6
Winner14.October 22, 2006 Flag of Switzerland.svg Zurich, SwitzerlandHard (i) Flag of Slovakia.svg Daniela Hantuchová 6–1, 4–6, 6–3
Winner15.October 29, 2006 Flag of Austria.svg Linz, AustriaHard (i) Flag of Russia.svg Nadia Petrova 7–5, 6–2

See also

Related Research Articles

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2006 WTA Tour Womens tennis circuit

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Kim Clijsters defeated Mary Pierce in the final, 6–3, 6–1 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2005 US Open. It was her first major singles title and first of an eventual three US Open titles.

Venus Williams defeated Lindsay Davenport in the final, 4–6, 7–6(7–4), 9–7 to win the ladies' singles tennis title at the 2005 Wimbledon Championships. It was her third Wimbledon singles title and fifth major singles title overall. At two hours and 45 minutes, it was the longest Wimbledon women's final in history. Williams became the first woman in the Open Era, and the first since Helen Wills in 1935, to win the title after being a championship point down. She lost only one set during the tournament, to Davenport in the final.

Amélie Mauresmo defeated Justine Henin-Hardenne in the final, 6–1, 2–0 ret., to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2006 Australian Open. Henin was suffering from stomach cramps resulting from the accidental misuse of anti-inflammatories for a chronic shoulder injury. This was Mauresmo's third match of the tournament where her opponent retired. Mauresmo and Henin-Hardenne would have a rematch in the final of Wimbledon later that year, where Mauresmo would win in three sets.

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Justine Henin-Hardenne defeated Kim Clijsters in the final, 6–3, 4–6, 6–3 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2004 Australian Open. It was her third major title, and her third win over Clijsters in a major final, after her victory at the 2003 French and US Opens. Clijsters would eventually win the title seven years later.

Justine Henin-Hardenne defeated Kim Clijsters in the final, 7–5, 6–1 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2003 US Open. She lost only one set during the tournament.

Serena Williams defeated Lindsay Davenport in the final, 2–6, 6–3, 6–0 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2005 Australian Open. It was her second Australian Open singles title and her seventh major singles title overall. Williams saved three match points in her semifinal match against Maria Sharapova.

Defending champion Serena Williams successfully defended her title, defeating her sister Venus Williams in a rematch of the previous year's final, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 to win the ladies' singles tennis title at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships. It was her second Wimbledon singles title and her sixth major singles title overall.

Justine Henin-Hardenne defeated Kim Clijsters in the final, 6–0, 6–4 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2003 French Open. It was her first major singles title, and she became the first Belgian player to win a major; Clijsters was attempting to achieve the same accolade. The final made Belgium the third country in the Open Era to have two countrywomen contest a major final.

Justine Henin-Hardenne defeated Mary Pierce in the final, 6–1, 6–1 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2005 French Open. It was her second French Open title, and her first of three consecutive French Open titles. Henin became the second woman in the Open Era to win the title after saving a match point, doing so in the fourth round against Svetlana Kuznetsova.

2006 Wimbledon Championships Tennis tournament

The 2006 Wimbledon Championships was a tennis tournament played on grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London in the United Kingdom. It was the 120th edition of the Wimbledon Championships and were held from 26 June to 9 July 2006. It was the third Grand Slam tennis event of the year.

Defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne successfully defended her title, defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final, 6–4, 6–4 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2006 French Open. She won the title without losing a set during the tournament, or without facing a tiebreak in any set.

Amélie Mauresmo defeated Justine Henin-Hardenne in the final, 2–6, 6–3, 6–4 to win the ladies' singles tennis title at the 2006 Wimbledon Championships. It was her second major title, having won the Australian Open earlier in the year. Mauresmo also became the first Frenchwoman to win Wimbledon since Suzanne Lenglen in 1925. Henin-Hardenne was attempting to complete the career Grand Slam.

Maria Sharapova defeated Justine Henin-Hardenne in the final, 6–4, 6–4 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2006 US Open. It was her second major title. She lost just one set during the tournament. By reaching the final, Henin-Hardenne became the eighth woman to reach all four major finals in a calendar year.

2004 WTA Tour Womens tennis circuit

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Elena Dementieva Russian tennis player

Elena Viacheslavovna Dementieva is a Russian former professional tennis player. She won the singles gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, having previously won the silver medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. She won 16 WTA singles titles, reached the finals of the 2004 French Open and 2004 US Open and reached seven other Grand Slam semifinals. Dementieva was also part of the Russian team that won the 2005 Fed Cup. In doubles, she won the 2002 WTA Championships with Janette Husárová and was the runner-up in two US Open doubles finals – in 2002 with Husárová and in 2005 with Flavia Pennetta. Dementieva achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 3, which was accomplished on 6 April 2009. She announced her retirement on 29 October 2010, after her final match at the 2010 WTA Championships. Between 2003 and 2010, she only ended one year, in 2007, outside the top 10. She is considered to be one of the most talented players never to have won a Grand Slam tournament.

Results and statistics from Maria Sharapova's 2005 tennis season.

References