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Serena Williams's early career

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Serena Williams's early career
Full nameSerena Jameka Williams
Country United States
Calendar prize money1997: $37,947
1998: 324,974
Singles
Season record1997: 9–5 (64.29%)
1998: 29-11 (72.50%)
Calendar titles0
Year-end ranking1997: No. 99
1998: No. 20
Ranking change from previous year1997: Increase NR
1998: Increase 79
Grand Slam & significant results
Australian Open1998: 2R
French Open1998: 4R
Wimbledon1998: 3R
US Open1998: 3R
Doubles
Season record1997: 4–2 (66.67%)
1998: 14-5 (73.68%)
Calendar titles1998: 1
Year-end ranking1997: No. 121
1998: No. 36
Ranking change from previous year1997: Increase NR
1998: Increase 85
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open1998: 3R
Wimbledon1998: 1R
US Open1997: 1R
Mixed doubles
Season record1998: 15-2 (88.24%)
Calendar titles2
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
Australian Open1998: 1R
French Open1998: F
Wimbledon1998: W
US Open1998: W
Last updated on: April 2, 2013.

The tennis career of Serena Williams began in 1995, but she did not compete in 1996. She continued through the 1997 season and ended in the top 20 in 1998.

1995–1996

[edit]

Williams's first professional event was in October 1995, at the age of 14, at the Bell Challenge in Quebec City. She lost in the first round of qualifying to world no. 149 Annie Miller in less than an hour of play and earned US$240 in prize money.

Williams did not play a tournament in 1996.

1997

[edit]

Williams played the qualifying rounds of her first three tournaments of 1997, in the first round of State Farm Evert Cup, third round of Acura Classic and second round of European Indoor Championships, to Alexia Dechaume-Balleret, Magui Serna and Dominique Monami respectively. She then qualified for her first tour main draw when she defeated Magui Serna in the final round of qualifying at the Kremlin Cup, but lost in the first round of the main draw to compatriot Kimberly Po.[1] In November, Williams entered the Ameritech Cup as a wild card and ranked no. 304. She earned her first main draw win against then world no. 27 Elena Likhovtseva in straight sets.[2] In the next round, she upset world no. 7 Mary Pierce in two tight sets, with Williams failing to serve it out in the twelfth game of the second set but eventually won in a tie-break.[3] In the quarterfinal she upset world no. 4 Monica Seles easing through the second and third sets, recording her first career wins over top 10 players and becoming the lowest-ranked player in the open era to defeat two top 10 opponents in one tournament.[4] She also became the lowest ranked player to defeat a Top 5 player since unranked Stephanie Rehe defeated No. 3 Gabriela Sabatini at 1990 Hilton Head.[5] She ultimately lost in the semifinals to world no. 5 Lindsay Davenport 4-6 in both sets.[6] Her run in Chicago propelled Williams into the Top 100 for the first time in her career, and she finished 1997 ranked No. 99 in the world.[7]

In doubles, she paired with sister Venus Williams in three events, reaching the quarterfinals of State Farm Evert Cup losing to third seeds Lindsay Davenport and Natasha Zvereva easily and the semifinals of the Ameritech Cup withdrawing before their match against compatriots Lindsay Davenport and Monica Seles.

1998

[edit]

Adidas International

[edit]

Williams began her 1998 by entering the qualifying draw of the Adidas International. Williams qualified by defeating No. 64 Laura Golarsa in the final round losing just two games.[8] In the main draw was made to work in three sets against Mirjana Lučić coming from a set down to advance. She then faced Frenchwoman Sandrine Testud and was a set and 3-0 up when her opponent retired. In the quarterfinals, Williams took on world no. 3 Lindsay Davenport. Williams was down a set and faced two match points in the 8th game of the second. Williams came back and won the last two sets in the 12th game of each.[9] Williams's run was ended by Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the semifinals when Williams fell, winning only 2 games in each set.[10] World-ranked No. 53 on 19 January 1998, became the third-highest ranked player after three major-tour main draw events since 1976.[5]

Australian Open

[edit]

Williams then competed in her first slam at the Australian Open. In her first match, she faced Romanian Irina Spîrlea. Spîrlea won the first set in a tie-breaker, however, Williams came back to take the next two sets with relative ease dropping just four games.[11] In the following round, Williams faced her older sister Venus Williams in their first professional match.[5] The first set went to a tie-break, which Venus won and from then on carried the momentum to win the second set only dropping one game.[12]

Williams paired with sister Venus Williams and moved through the third round with straight set victory over Erika deLone and Liezel Horn, and a three-set comeback victory over Rika Hiraki and Mercedes Paz. However, they fell in straights to the Japanese duo of Naoko Kijimuta and Nana Smith.

Williams also played Mixed doubles and partnered with local Lleyton Hewitt, however, they faltered in the first round in straight sets to Natasha Zvereva and Andrew Florent.

IGA Tennis Classic

[edit]

Williams headed to the United States in Oklahoma in the IGA Tennis Classic. In the first round she faced compatriot Katrina Adams and won in straight sets in just 44 minutes, breaking Adams twice in both sets.[13] She then faced Australian Annabel Ellwood in the following round and cruised through with a straight set victory. In the quarterfinals, she faced Joannette Kruger and fell in a lop-sided loss winning only two games in the match, one in each set.[14]

In the doubles, she and sister Venus Williams cruised through their first title as a team without dropping a set defeating the teams of Surina De Beer and Lindsay Lee-Waters, Katrina Adams and Debbie Graham, Laura Golarsa and Liezel Horn, and Cătălina Cristea and Kristine Kunce in the final.

State Farm Evert Cup and Lipton Championships

[edit]

Williams then stayed in the USA, playing at the Lipton Championships. Williams began her tournament against Denisa Chládková and won easily losing four games including a bagel in the second set. In the next round she faced Irina Spîrlea, the world no. 10. The first set went to a tie-break, which Williams won, Williams then stormed through the second set with a bagel.[15] By defeating 10th-ranked Spirlea in only her 16th career WTA Tour main-draw singles match, she defeated five Top 10 players faster than any player in the history of professional women's tennis, breaking the previous record set by Monica Seles in 1989 who recorded her fifth career Top 10 victory in her 33rd main-draw match.[5] Williams then had an easier match in the Round of 32, defeating Barbara Paulus in straight sets.[16] In the fourth round, she faced Swiss no. 2 Patty Schnyder, Williams won the first set in a bagel, however her higher ranked opponent took the second set. Williams then took control of the final set taking it in the ninth game.[17] In the final 8, Williams took on world no. 1 Martina Hingis and took the first set, however, Hingis came back to push it to a decider. The decider went to a tie-breaker which Hingis took.[18]

Williams chose to compete at the State Farm Evert Cup but only in doubles with sister Venus Williams they were able to get to the quarterfinals without dropping a set but fell to Martina Hingis and Mirjana Lučić in three sets. They also played at the Lipton Championships but fell in their first match to the team of Els Callens and Patricia Hy-Boulais.

Campionati Internazionali d’Italia

[edit]

Williams then played at the Campionati Internazionali d’Italia, in her first clay court tournament. Her first opponent was 11th seed Nathalie Tauziat, Williams came through in a tough first set, but won the second set with ease in a bagel scoreline to upset her seeded opponent.[19] In her match, Williams advanced when her opponent South African Joannette Kruger retired with a back injury in the seventh game when Williams was leading by a double break.[20] In the following round she faced 8th seed Conchita Martínez and won with ease in straight sets, losing two games in each.[21] In the quarterfinals, she faced sister Venus Williams for the second time in the year and like their previous encounter Serena lost in straight sets.[22]

In doubles, she played with sister Venus and they cruised through the first three rounds in straight sets defeating the teams of Naoko Kijimuta and Nana Smith, Virág Csurgó and Yuka Yoshida, and Katrina Adams and Manon Bollegraf. In the semifinals, they faced Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola Suárez, the Williams sisters won the first set but lost the second and third.

French Open

[edit]

Williams then played in the second slam of the year at the clay courts of Roland Garros. In her debut match, she faced Canadian Jana Nejedly and won in three sets, Williams came through despite losing the second set easily, winning only a game.[23] In her next match, she faced compatriot Corina Morariu and won with ease dropping only a game. In the third round, Williams took on Dominique Monami and won in a double breadstick. In the round of 16, Williams faced world no. 5 Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, Williams was up by a set and was serving for the match in the ninth game, but eventually lost in three.[24]

Williams also played mixed doubles with Argentinian Luis Lobo. Williams and Lobo won their first two matches against the teams of Helena Vildová and Pavel Vízner, and Larisa Savchenko and Leander Paes. In the third round they faced the American pairing of Ginger Helgeson-Nielsen and Jim Grabb, they split the first two sets, however Williams and Lobo dominated the third without dropping a game. They then had little difficulty putting out the pairings of Kristie Boogert and Donald Johnson, and Rachel McQuillan and David Macpherson to advance to the title match. In the final they faced sister Venus Williams and Justin Gimelstob. Serena and Lobo led by a break by the fifth game in the first set just to lose the next five games. Venus and Gimelstob took the second set by the same scoreline.[25]

Direct Line Insurance Championships

[edit]

Williams then played her first grass tournament at the Direct Line Insurance Championships, she faced two Japanese players in her first two matches taking on Naoko Sawamatsu and Ai Sugiyama, she won both matches in straight sets. In the quarterfinals, she again faced Arantxa Sánchez Vicario for the second time in three weeks and once again lost in three sets after winning the first set.[26]

Wimbledon Championships

[edit]

Williams next event is the Wimbledon Championships, Williams's first round opponent is Laura Golarsa and won in two sets with a break lead in each.[27] Williams then faced Mirjana Lučić in the next round and dominated losing only three games, including a bagel in the second set.[28] In the third round, Williams faced Spaniard Virginia Ruano Pascual and was down by a set and just won a game after losing the first four in the first set, when she retired due to leg injury, however after the match, Williams said that she could have finished the match.[29]

She and sister Venus were supposed to compete in doubles, but withdrew before their first round match against Naoko Kijimuta and Nana Smith.

Williams once again played in the Mixed Doubles, but this time partnering Belorussian Max Mirnyi. In their first match, they faced Cătălina Cristea and Geoff Grant winning by a breadstick and a tie-break. In their next matches, they were pushed to three sets, coming back from a set down against the teams of Lindsay Davenport and Brian MacPhie, and Nathalie Tauziat and Daniel Nestor. In the quarterfinals, they faced the Australian team of Kristine Kunce and Sandon Stolle and won in three dropping the second set. In the following match they defeated the Dutch team of Caroline Vis and Paul Haarhuis and for the third time came back from a set down. In the final they faced Mirjana Lučić and Mahesh Bhupathi and won in straight sets, losing four games in both sets. This win gave both Williams and Mirnyi their first slam title.[30]

Toshiba TennisClassic

[edit]

Williams then came to the States and competed at the Toshiba TennisClassic. In the first round she faced Larisa Neiland and demolished the Latvian with a double bagel in just 38 minutes and losing only 19 points.[31] In the second round she faced Sandrine Testud and won three dropping the second set. In the final 8, she took on world no. 1 Martina Hingis and fell quite convincingly, winning just five games to the top player.[32]

US Open

[edit]

Williams then competed in the final slam of the year at the US Open. In her first match, Williams had to scrapped through Australian Nicole Pratt, when she dropped the second set, but finally came through in three. However, her next match was easier taking on Kiwi's Pavlina Nola, Williams just dropped three games to advance. In the third round, she faced Irina Spîrlea, Williams had won their two previous matches in the year, however Spîrlea took the first set just to see Williams come back in the second winning it in a bagel. In the final set, Williams was broken in the 11th game and Spîrlea took advantage and closed it out in the next game to eliminate Williams.[33]

For the second slam in a row, Williams played mixed doubles with Max Mirnyi. In their first two matches, they came through easily defeating Miriam Oremans and Nicklas Kulti in straight sets and having a walkover over Americans Lindsay Davenport and Jan-Michael Gambill. In a repeat of the Wimbledon mixed doubles final, they faced Mirjana Lučić and Mahesh Bhupathi, Williams and Mirnyi dropped the first set, but took the final two sets at five. In the semifinals, they had to battle hard against Debbie Graham and Sandon Stolle, as both teams traded the first two sets both going to a tie-break. In the final set Williams and Mirnyi took it with ease to advance. In the final they faced the American team of Lisa Raymond and Patrick Galbraith. The American-Belorussian team came through in two easy sets over the American team to claim their second straight slam as a team.

Porsche Tennis Grand Prix

[edit]

In her final tournament in singles in the year, Williams played at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. In her opening match she took on Květa Hrdličková, and was pushed in three set, but came through winning the final set with a bagel.[34] In the second round, she faced another Czech third seed Jana Novotná, the pair split the first two sets, however Novotná being down a break retired after twisting her back.[35] Williams then fell to France's Sandrine Testud despite coming back to take the second set.

In the doubles, she paired with sister Venus Williams but fell in the first round to Lisa Raymond and Rennae Stubbs, losing in a tie-break and a breadstick.

European Championships and MGTS Kremlin Cup

[edit]

Williams chose to play only in the doubles of the European Championships pairing with sister Venus Williams, they faced top seeds Lindsay Davenport and Natasha Zvereva, they produced an upset in straight sets. They then came through coming back from a set down against Amanda Coetzer and Anna Kournikova. In the semifinals they defeated Manon Bollegraf and Debbie Graham in a tough first set but came through easily in the second. In the final, they came back from a set down against Mariaan De Swardt and Elena Tatarkova, to claim their second title as a team and their biggest title so far.

The pair also chose to compete at the MGTS Kremlin Cup and came through their tough first match against Elena Likhovtseva and Ai Sugiyama, winning it in a tie-break in the third set. However, they withdrew prior to their quarterfinal match against Anna Kournikova and Monica Seles.

Williams finished 1998 ranked No. 20 in singles,[36] the fastest to that milestone in history. In 1998 alone, she recorded five wins against Top 10 players.[37]

All matches

[edit]

Singles matches

[edit]
Year Tournament Match Round Opponent Rank Result Score
1995 Bell Challenge
Quebec City, Canada
Tier III
Hard, outdoor
30 October–5 November 1995
1 Q1 United States Annie Miller #148 Loss 1–6, 1–6
1997 State Farm Evert Cup
Indian Wells, United States
Tier I
Hard, outdoor
3 –16 March 1997
2 Q1 France Alexia Dechaume-Balleret #87 Loss 4–6, 0–6
Acura Classic
Los Angeles, United States
Tier II
Hard, outdoor
4 –10 August 1997
3 Q1 United States Amanda Basica #755 Win 6–1, 6–4
4 Q2 Thailand Tamarine Tanasugarn #44 Win 3–6, 6–2, 6–3
5 Q3 Spain Magui Serna #54 Loss 6–7(6–8), 6–4, 3–6
European Indoor Championships
Zurich, Switzerland
Tier I
Hard, outdoor
13 –19 October 1997
6 Q1 Italy Gloria Pizzichini #88 Win 6–2, 6–4
7 Q2 Belgium Dominique Monami #29 Loss 2–6, 4–6
Kremlin Cup
Moscow, Russia
Tier I
Carpet, indoor
27 October - 2 November 1997
8 Q1 Russia Anastasia Myskina #619 Win 6–0, 6–4
9 Q2 Sweden Åsa Svensson #46 Win 6–2, 6–3
10 Q3 Spain Magui Serna #42 Win 6–0, 7–6(13-11)
11 1R United States Kimberly Po #22 Loss 3–6, 6–7(6–8)
Ameritech Cup
Chicago, United States
Tier II
Carpet, indoor
3–9 November 1997
12 1R Russia Elena Likhovtseva #27 Win 6–3, 7–5
13 2R France Mary Pierce #7 Win 6–3, 7–6(7–3)
14 QF United States Monica Seles #4 Win 4–6, 6–1, 6–1
15 SF United States Lindsay Davenport #5 Loss 4–6, 4–6
1998 Adidas International
Sydney, Australia
Tier II
Hard, outdoor
12–18 January 1998
16 Q1 Italy Gloria Pizzichini #89 Win 6–3, 6–1
17 Q2 United States Corina Morariu #55 Win 7–5, 6–4
18 Q3 Italy Laura Golarsa #64 Win 6–2, 6–0
19 1R Croatia Mirjana Lučić #48 Win 3–6, 6–4, 7–5
20 2R France Sandrine Testud #13 Win 7–6(7–5), 3–0 RET
21 QF United States Lindsay Davenport #3 Win 1–6, 7–5, 7–5
22 SF Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario #9 Loss 2–6, 1–6
Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
19 January - 1 February 1998
23 1R Romania Irina Spîrlea #9 Win 6–7(7–9), 6–3, 6–1
24 2R United States Venus Williams #16 Loss 6–7(4–7), 1–6
IGA Tennis Classic
Oklahoma City, USA
Tier III
Hard, outdoor
23 February - 1 March 1998
25 1R United States Katrina Adams #286 Win 6–1, 6–2
26 2R Australia Annabel Ellwood #110 Win 6–1, 6–3
27 QF South Africa Joannette Kruger #27 Loss 1–6, 1–6
Lipton Championships
Miami, USA
Tier I
Hard, outdoor
16–29 March 1998
28 1R Czech Republic Denisa Chládková #59 Win 6–4, 6–0
29 2R Romania Irina Spîrlea #10 Win 7–6(7–4), 6–0
30 3R Austria Barbara Paulus #26 Win 6–3, 6–2
31 4R Switzerland Patty Schnyder #17 Win 6–0, 4–6, 6–3
32 QF Switzerland Martina Hingis #1 Loss 3–6, 6–1, 6–7(4–7)
Campionati Internazionali d’Italia
Rome, Italy
Tier I
Clay, outdoor
4–10 May 1998
33 1R France Nathalie Tauziat #12 Win 7–5, 6–0
34 2R South Africa Joannette Kruger #21 Win 5–1 ret
35 3R Spain Conchita Martínez #8 Win 6–2, 6–2
36 QF United States Venus Williams #9 Loss 4–6, 2–6
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam
Clay, outdoor
25 May - 7 June 1998
37 1R Canada Jana Nejedly #97 Win 6–2, 1–6, 6–4
38 2R United States Corina Morariu #43 Win 6–1, 6–0
39 3R Belgium Dominique Monami #14 Win 6–1, 6–1
40 4R Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario #5 Loss 6–4, 5–7, 3–6
Direct Line Insurance Championships
Eastbourne, Great Britain
Tier II
Grass, outdoor
15–21 June 1998
41 1R Japan Naoko Sawamatsu #34 Win 6–4, 7–5
42 2R Japan Ai Sugiyama #17 Win 6–2, 7–5
43 QF Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario #4 Loss 6–4, 4–6, 4–6
Wimbledon Championships
London, Great Britain
Grand Slam
Grass, outdoor
23 June - 5 July 1998
44 1R Italy Laura Golarsa #77 Win 6–4, 6–3
45 2R Croatia Mirjana Lučić #46 Win 6–3, 6–0
46 3R Spain Virginia Ruano Pascual #47 Loss 5–7, 1–4 ret
Toshiba TennisClassic
Los Angeles, USA
Tier II
Hard, outdoor
10–16 August 1998
47 1R Latvia Larisa Neiland #90 Win 6–0, 6–0
48 2R France Sandrine Testud #14 Win 6–4, 3–6, 6–1
49 QF Switzerland Martina Hingis #1 Loss 4–6, 1–6
US Open
New York City, USA
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
31 August - 13 September 1998
50 1R Australia Nicole Pratt #94 Win 6–3, 3–6, 6–4
51 2R New Zealand Pavlina Nola #124 Win 6–2, 6–1
52 3R Romania Irina Spîrlea #8 Loss 3–6, 6–0, 5–7
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
Filderstadt, Germany
Tier II
Hard, outdoor
5–11 October 1998
53 1R Czech Republic Květa Hrdličková #64 Win 7–6(7–5), 3–6, 6–0
54 2R Czech Republic Jana Novotná #3 Win 2–6, 6–3, 2–0 ret
55 QF France Sandrine Testud #18 Loss 4–6, 6–1, 1–6

Doubles matches

[edit]
Year Tournament Match Round Partner Opponents Rank Result Score
1997 State Farm Evert Cup
Indian Wells, United States
Tier I
Hard, outdoor
3 –16 March 1997
1 1R United States Venus Williams Spain Conchita Martínez
Argentina Patricia Tarabini
#25
#26
Win 4–6, 7–6(7–5), 7–5
2 2R United States Venus Williams Sweden Åsa Svensson
France Anne-Gaëlle Sidot
#89
#83
Win 0–6, 6–3, 6–3
3 QF United States Venus Williams United States Lindsay Davenport
Belarus Natasha Zvereva
#7
#4
Loss 3–6, 0–6
US Open
New York City, USA
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
31 August - 13 September 1998
4 1R United States Venus Williams Canada Jill Hetherington
United States Kathy Rinaldi Stunkel
#104
#102
Loss 4–6, 5–7
Ameritech Cup
Chicago, United States
Tier II
Carpet, indoor
3–9 November 1997
5 1R United States Venus Williams Romania Ruxandra Dragomir Ilie
Croatia Iva Majoli
#22
#37
Win 6–0, 6–0
6 QF United States Venus Williams Netherlands Manon Bollegraf
United States Mary Joe Fernandez
#8
#9
Win 7–6(7–2), 6–2
- SF United States Venus Williams United States Lindsay Davenport
United States Monica Seles
#1
#84
Withdrew N/A
1998 Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
19 January - 1 February 1998
7 1R United States Venus Williams United States Erika deLone
South Africa Liezel Horn
#99
#103
Win 6–4, 6–2
8 2R United States Venus Williams Japan Rika Hiraki
Argentina Mercedes Paz
#28
#49
Win 2–6, 6–2, 6–2
9 3R United States Venus Williams Japan Naoko Kijimuta
Japan Nana Smith
#23
#19
Loss 3–6, 3–6
IGA Tennis Classic
Oklahoma City, USA
Tier III
Hard, outdoor
23 February - 1 March 1998
10 1R United States Venus Williams South Africa Surina De Beer
United States Lindsay Lee-Waters
#208
#86
Win 6–4, 7–5
11 QF United States Venus Williams United States Katrina Adams
United States Debbie Graham
#22
#37
Win 6–4, 4–3 ret
12 SF United States Venus Williams Italy Laura Golarsa
South Africa Liezel Horn
#84
#102
Win 6–2, 6–2
13 F United States Venus Williams Romania Cătălina Cristea
Austria Kristine Kunce
#93
#50
Win 7–5, 6–2
State Farm Evert Cup
Indian Wells, USA
Tier I
Hard, outdoor
2–15 March 1998
14 1R United States Venus Williams Romania Cătălina Cristea
Australia Annabel Ellwood
#84
#66
Win 6–4, 6–3
15 2R United States Venus Williams Spain Conchita Martínez
Argentina Patricia Tarabini
#19
#17
Win 6–4, 6–1
16 QF United States Venus Williams Switzerland Martina Hingis
Croatia Mirjana Lučić
#3
#31
Loss 5–7, 6–4, 1–6
Lipton Championships
Miami, USA
Tier I
Hard, outdoor
16–29 March 1998
17 1R United States Venus Williams Belgium Els Callens
Canada Patricia Hy-Boulais
#54
#116
Loss 4–6, 4–6
Campionati Internazionali d’Italia
Rome, Italy
Tier I
Clay, outdoor
4–10 May 1998
18 1R United States Venus Williams Japan Naoko Kijimuta
Japan Nana Smith
#24
#22
Win 6–4, 6–4
19 2R United States Venus Williams Hungary Virág Csurgó
Japan Yuka Yoshida
#122
#68
Win 7–6(9–7), 6–4
20 QF United States Venus Williams United States Katrina Adams
Netherlands Manon Bollegraf
#23
#5
Win 6–2, 6–1
21 SF United States Venus Williams Spain Virginia Ruano Pascual
Argentina Paola Suárez
#73
#49
Loss 6–2, 4–6, 5–7
Wimbledon Championships
London, Great Britain
Grand Slam
Grass, outdoor
23 June - 5 July 1998
- 1R United States Venus Williams Japan Naoko Kijimuta
Japan Nana Smith
#24
#23
Withdrew N/A
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
Filderstadt, Germany
Tier II
Hard, outdoor
5–11 October 1998
22 1R United States Venus Williams United States Lisa Raymond
Australia Rennae Stubbs
#13
#14
Loss 6–7(5–7), 1–6
European Championships
Zurich, Switzerland
Tier I
Hard, indoor
12–18 October 1998
23 1R United States Venus Williams United States Lindsay Davenport
Belarus Natasha Zvereva
#3
#4
Win 7–6(8–6), 6–2
24 QF United States Venus Williams South Africa Amanda Coetzer
Russia Anna Kournikova
#32
#13
Win 1–6, 6–1, 6–2
25 SF United States Venus Williams Netherlands Manon Bollegraf
United States Debbie Graham
#19
#26
Win 7–6(10–8), 6–2
26 F United States Venus Williams South Africa Mariaan De Swardt
Ukraine Elena Tatarkova
#16
#31
Win 5–7, 6–1, 6–3
MGTS Kremlin Cup
Moscow, Russia
Tier I
Carpet, indoor
19–25 October 1998
27 1R United States Venus Williams Russia Elena Likhovtseva
Japan Ai Sugiyama
#17
#22
Win 3–6, 7–5, 7–6(7–4)
- QF United States Venus Williams Russia Anna Kournikova
United States Monica Seles
#13
#60
Withdrew N/A

Mixed Doubles matches

[edit]
Year Tournament Match Round Partner Opponents Rank Result Score
1998 Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
19 January - 1 February 1998
1 1R Australia Lleyton Hewitt Belarus Natasha Zvereva
Australia Andrew Florent
#2
#51
Loss 6–7(3–7), 2–6
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam
Clay, outdoor
25 May - 7 June 1998
2 1R Argentina Luis Lobo Czech Republic Helena Vildová
Czech Republic Pavel Vízner
#131
#40
Win 6–3, 6–2
3 2R Argentina Luis Lobo Soviet Union Larisa Savchenko
India Leander Paes
#4
#6
Win 7–6(7–4), 6–3
4 3R Argentina Luis Lobo United States Ginger Helgeson-Nielsen
United States Jim Grabb
#?
#12
Win 6–4, 3–6, 6–0
5 QF Argentina Luis Lobo Netherlands Kristie Boogert
United States Donald Johnson
#76
#15
Win 6–3, 7–5
6 SF Argentina Luis Lobo Australia Rachel McQuillan
Australia David Macpherson
#74
#19
Win 6–1, 6–0
7 F Argentina Luis Lobo United States Venus Williams
United States Justin Gimelstob
#8
#91
Loss 4–6, 4–6
Wimbledon Championships
London, Great Britain
Grand Slam
Grass, outdoor
23 June - 5 July 1998
8 1R Belarus Max Mirnyi Romania Cătălina Cristea
United States Geoff Grant
#55
#99
Win 6–1, 7–6(11-9)
9 2R Belarus Max Mirnyi United States Lindsay Davenport
United States Brian MacPhie
#1
#83
Win 4–6, 7–6(7–4), 6–2
10 3R Belarus Max Mirnyi France Nathalie Tauziat
Canada Daniel Nestor
#17
#18
Win 5–7, 6–3, 6–4
11 QF Belarus Max Mirnyi Australia Kristine Kunce
Australia Sandon Stolle
#49
#67
Win 7–5, 5–7, 6–4
12 SF Belarus Max Mirnyi Netherlands Caroline Vis
Netherlands Paul Haarhuis
#21
#2
Win 4–6, 6–4, 7–5
13 F Belarus Max Mirnyi Croatia Mirjana Lučić
India Mahesh Bhupathi
#192
#5
Win 6–4, 6–4
US Open
New York City, United States
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
31 August - 13 September 1998
14 1R Belarus Max Mirnyi Netherlands Miriam Oremans
Sweden Nicklas Kulti
#46
#29
Win 6–1, 6–3
- 2R Belarus Max Mirnyi United States Lindsay Davenport
United States Jan-Michael Gambill
#5
#1,076
Walkover N/A
15 QF Belarus Max Mirnyi Croatia Mirjana Lučić
India Mahesh Bhupathi
#146
#7
Win 3–6, 7–5, 7–5
16 SF Belarus Max Mirnyi United States Debbie Graham
Australia Sandon Stolle
#64
#47
Win 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–3), 6–2
17 F Belarus Max Mirnyi United States Lisa Raymond
United States Patrick Galbraith
#1
#14
Win 6–2, 6–2

Tournament schedule

[edit]

Singles schedule

[edit]

Williams's 1995-1998 singles tournament schedule is as follows:

Date Championship Location Category Surface Points Outcome
30 October 1995–
5 November 1995
Bell Challenge Quebec City (CAN) WTA Tier III Hard 1 First round Qualifying
lost to Annie Miller, 1–6, 1–6
1995 Total year-end points 1
3 March 1997–
16 March 1997
State Farm Evert Cup Indian Wells (USA) WTA Tier I Hard 1 First round Qualifying
lost to Alexia Dechaume-Balleret, 4–6, 0–6
4 August 1997–
10 August 1997
Acura Classic Los Angeles (USA) WTA Tier II Hard 5 Third round Qualifying
lost to Magui Serna, 6-7(6-8), 6-4, 3-6
13 October 1997–
19 October 1997
European Indoor Championships Zurich (SUI) WTA Tier I Hard 3 Second round Qualifying
lost to Dominique Monami, 2–6, 4–6
27 October 1997–
2 November 1997
Kremlin Cup Moscow (RUS) WTA Tier I Carpet (i) 11 First round
lost to Kimberly Po, 3-6, 6-7(6-8)
3 November 1997–
9 November 1997
Ameritech Cup Chicago (USA) WTA Tier II Hard 90 Semifinals
lost to Lindsay Davenport, 4-6, 4-6
1997 Total year-end points 110
12 January 1998–
18 January 1998
Adidas International Sydney (AUS) WTA Tier II Hard 99 Semifinals
lost to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, 2-6, 1-6
19 January 1998–
1 February 1998
Australian Openl Melbourne (AUS) Grand Slam Hard 26 Second Round
lost to Venus Williams, 6-7(4-7), 1-6
23 February 1998–
1 March 1999
IGA Tennis Classic Oklahoma City (USA) WTA Tier III Hard 35 Quarterfinals
lost to Joannette Kruger, 1–6, 1–6
16 March 1998–
29 March 1998
Lipton Championships Miami (USA) WTA Tier I Hard 65 Quarterfinals
lost to Martina Hingis, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7(4-7)
4 May 1998–
10 May 1998
Campionati Internazionali d’Italia Rome (ITA) WTA Tier I Clay 65 Quarterfinals
lost to Venus Williams, 4-6, 2-6
25 May–
7 June 1998
French Open Paris (FRA) Grand Slam Clay 72 Fourth Round
lost to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6
15 June–
21 June 1998
Direct Line Insurance Championships Eastbourne (GBR) WTA Tier II Grass 50 Quarterfinals
lost to Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, 6-4, 4-6, 4-6
23 June–
5 July 1998
Wimbledon Championships London (GBR) Grand Slam Grass 44 Third Round
lost to Virginia Ruano Pascual, 5-7, 1-4 ret
10 August–
16 August 1998
Toshiba TennisClassic Los Angeles (USA) WTA Tier II Hard 50 Quarterfinals
lost to Martina Hingis, 4-6, 1-6
31 August 1998-
13 September 1998
US Open New York City (USA) Grand Slam Grass 44 Third Round
lost to Irina Spîrlea, 3-6, 6-0, 5-7
5 October–
11 October 1998
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Filderstadt (GER) WTA Tier II Hard 50 Quarterfinals
lost to Sandrine Testud, 4-6, 6-1, 1-6
1998 Total year-end points 600

Doubles schedule

[edit]

Williams's 1997-1998 doubles tournament schedule is as follows:

Date Championship Location Category Partner Surface Points Outcome
3 March 1997–
16 March 1997
State Farm Evert Cup Indian Wells (USA) WTA Tier I United States Venus Williams Hard 65 Quarterfinals
lost to Davenport/Zvereva, 3–6, 0–6
31 August 1997–
13 September 1997
US Open New York (USA) Grand Slam United States Venus Williams Hard 2 First Round
lost to Hetherington/Rinaldi Stunkel, 4–6, 5–7
3 November 1997–
9 November 1997
Ameritech Cup Chicago (USA) WTA Tier II United States Venus Williams Carpet (i) 90 Semifinals
Withdrew before match against Davenport/Seles
1997 Total year-end points 157
19 January 1998-
1 February 1998
Australian Open Melbourne (AUS) Grand Slam United States Venus Williams Hard 72 Third Round
lost to Kijimuta/Smith, 3-6, 3-6
23 February 1998-
1 March 1998
IGA Tennis Classic Oklahoma City (USA) WTA Tier III United States Venus Williams Hard (i) 90 Winner
defeated Cristea/Kunce 7–5, 6–2
3 March 1998-
15 March 1998
State Farm Evert Cup Indian Wells (USA) WTA Tier I United States Venus Williams Hard 65 Quarterfinals
lost to Hingis/Lučić 5-7, 6-4, 1-6
16 March 1998-
29 March 1998
Lipton Championships Miami (USA) WTA Tier I United States Venus Williams Hard 1 First Round
lost to Callens/Hy-Boulais 4-6, 4-6
4 May 1998-
10 May 1998
Campionati Internazionali d’Italia Rome (ITA) WTA Tier I United States Venus Williams Clay 117 Semifinals
lost to Ruano Pascual/Suárez 6-2, 4-6, 5-7
23 June 1998-
5 July 1998
Wimbledon Championships London (GBR) Grand Slam United States Venus Williams Grass 0 First round
Withdrew before match against Kijimuta/Smith
5 October 1998-
11 October 1998
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Filderstadt (GER) WTA Tier II United States Venus Williams Hard 1 First Round
lost to Raymond/Stubbs 6-7(5-7), 1-6
12 October 1998-
18 October 1998
European Championships Zurich (SUI) WTA Tier I United States Venus Williams Hard 265 Winner
defeated De Swardt/Tatarkova 5–7, 6–1, 6–3
19 October 1998-
25 October 1998
MGTS Kremlin Cup Moscow (RUS) WTA Tier I United States Venus Williams Carpet (i) 65 Quarterfinals
Withdrew before match against Kournikova/Seles
1998 Total year-end points 721

Mixed Doubles schedule

[edit]

Williams's 1998 doubles tournament schedule is as follows:

Date Championship Location Category Partner Surface Outcome
19 January 1998-
1 February 1998
Australian Open Melbourne (AUS) Grand Slam Australia Lleyton Hewitt Hard First Round
lost to Zvereva/Florent, 6-7(3-7), 2-6
25 May 1998-
7 June 1998
French Open Paris (FRA) Grand Slam Argentina Luis Lobo Clay Final
lost to V Williams/Gimelstob, 4-6, 4-6
23 June 1998-
5 July 1998
Wimbledon Championships London (GBR) Grand Slam Belarus Max Mirnyi Grass Winner
defeated Lučić/Bhupathi 6-4, 6-4
31 August 1998-
13 September 1998
US Open New York (USA) Grand Slam Belarus Max Mirnyi Hard Winner
defeated Raymond/Galbraith 6-2, 6-2

Yearly records

[edit]

Head-to-head matchups

[edit]

1995

[edit]
  • United States Annie Miller 0-1

1997

[edit]

1998

[edit]

Finals

[edit]

Doubles: 2 (2–0)

[edit]
Legend
Tier I (1–0)
Tier III (1–0)
Finals by Surface
Hard (2–0)
Finals by Surface
Outdoors (1–0)
Indoors (1–0)
Outcome No. Date Championship Surface Partner Opponent Score
Winner 1. February 23, 1998 Oklahoma City, US (1) Hard United States Venus Williams Romania Cătălina Cristea
Australia Kristine Kunce
7–5, 6–2
Winner 2. October 12, 1998 Zürich, Switzerland (1) Carpet (i) United States Venus Williams South Africa Mariaan de Swardt
Ukraine Elena Tatarkova
5–7, 6–1, 6–3

Mixed doubles: (2–1)

[edit]
Legend
Grand Slam (2–1)
Finals by Surface
Hard (1–0)
Grass (1–0)
Clay (0-1)
Finals by Surface
Outdoors (2–1)
Outcome No. Date Championship Surface Partner Opponent Score
Runner-up 1. May 25, 1998 French Open Clay Argentina Luis Lobo United States Venus Williams
United States Justin Gimelstob
4–6, 4–6
Winner 1. June 23, 1998 Wimbledon Grass Belarus Max Mirnyi Croatia Mirjana Lučić
India Mahesh Bhupathi
6–4, 6–4
Winner 2. August 31, 1998 US Open Hard Belarus Max Mirnyi United States Lisa Raymond
United States Patrick Galbraith
6–2, 6–2

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "5 tournaments Serena Williams has never won". www.sportskeeda.com. 4 November 1997. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  2. ^ "TENNIS: ROUNDUP; Younger Williams Wins in Chicago". NY Times. 4 November 1997.
  3. ^ "TENNIS: ROUNDUP -- AMERITECH CUP; Serena Williams Stuns Pierce". NY Times. 7 November 1997.
  4. ^ "TENNIS: ROUNDUP -- AMERITECH CUP; Serena Williams Stuns Seles". NY Times. 8 November 1997.
  5. ^ a b c d "ESPN.com: SWILLIAMS PlayerCard". ESPN. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  6. ^ "TENNIS: ROUNDUP -- AMERITECH OPEN; Serena Williams Loses in Semi". NY Times. 9 November 1997.
  7. ^ "Remembering Serena's 1999 Fed Cup debut". www.usta.com. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  8. ^ "PLUS: TENNIS -- SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL; Williams Advances". NY Times. 12 January 1998.
  9. ^ "PLUS: TENNIS -- SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL; Serena Williams Stuns Davenport". NY Times. 15 January 1998.
  10. ^ "TENNIS; Williams Sisters Won't Meet in the Final". NY Times. 16 January 1998.
  11. ^ "TENNIS; By Knocking Spirlea Out, Serena Williams May Get to Face Her Sister Next". NY Times. 19 January 1998.
  12. ^ "TENNIS; In Williams vs. Williams, Big Sister Moves Ahead". NY Times. 21 January 1998.
  13. ^ "TENNIS: ROUNDUP -- ADVANTA CHAMPIONSHIPS; Sampras Escapes Ouster". NY Times. 25 February 1998.
  14. ^ "TENNIS: YESTERDAY -- ADVANTA CHAMPIONSHIPS; Sampras Cruises Past Schalken". NY Times. 28 February 1998.
  15. ^ "PLUS: TENNIS -- LIPTON CHAMPIONSHIPS; Serena Williams Defeats Spirlea". NY Times. 21 March 1998.
  16. ^ "PLUS: TENNIS -- LIPTON CHAMPIONSHIPS; Agassi Continues His Resurgence". NY Times. 23 March 1998.
  17. ^ "TENNIS; Sampras Double-Faults and Is Defeated". NY Times. 24 March 1998.
  18. ^ "TENNIS; Hingis Escapes One Williams, and Will Face the Other". NY Times. 25 March 1998.
  19. ^ "TENNIS: ROUNDUP -- GERMAN OPEN; Becker Makes An Early Exit". NY Times. 6 May 1998.
  20. ^ "TENNIS: ROUNDUP -- ITALIAN OPEN; New Perspective Helps Seles Win". NY Times. 6 May 1998.
  21. ^ "Serena and Venus Williams Must Face Each Other in Italian Open: Victories Bring Sisters Closer". NY Times. 8 May 1998.
  22. ^ "Hingis and Venus Williams Beat Young Foes: Even Between Teens, Experience Counts". NY Times. 9 May 1998.
  23. ^ "TENNIS; To Keep a Promise To Her Father, Seles Returns to Paris". NY Times. 27 May 1998.
  24. ^ "TENNIS; Emotions Hit the Heights In Bitter Day on the Clay". NY Times. 1 June 1998.
  25. ^ "TENNIS; Dinner Will Wait For Friends In Final". NY Times. 6 June 1998.
  26. ^ "TENNIS: ROUNDUP -- EASTBOURNE; Sanchez Vicario and Novotna in Final". NY Times. 20 June 1998.
  27. ^ "TENNIS; Former Champions Find Comfort at Wimbledon". NY Times. 23 June 1998.
  28. ^ "TENNIS; Wimbledon Redemption Eludes Agassi Yet Again". NY Times. 26 June 1998.
  29. ^ "TENNIS; Serena Williams Is Out; Henman Uplifts Locals". NY Times. 30 June 1998.
  30. ^ "TENNIS; Sampras Can Finally Crack a Smile". NY Times. 6 July 1998.
  31. ^ "Serena Williams Wins With Ease". NY Times. 12 August 1998.
  32. ^ "TENNIS: ROUNDUP -- ACURA CLASSIC; Hingis Enjoys A Satisfying Victory". NY Times. 15 August 1998.
  33. ^ "TENNIS: U.S. OPEN; One Year Later, Spirlea Defeats a Williams Sister". NY Times. 3 September 1998.
  34. ^ "Williams Sisters Advance IndoorsTENNIS: U.S. OPEN; One Year Later, Spirlea Defeats a Williams Sister". NY Times. 7 October 1998.
  35. ^ "TENNIS: ROUNDUP -- PORSCHE GRAND PRIX; Davenport to Gain No. 1 From Hingis". NY Times. 9 October 1998.
  36. ^ "Serena Williams ranking history at the WTA". www.wtatennis.com. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  37. ^ "1995-1999: The beginning of a memorable care". www.wtatennis.com. 31 August 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
[edit]