Wikipedia

Serena Williams's early career

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.

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.
Main article: Serena Williams

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   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   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   Amanda Basica #755 Win 6–1, 6–4
4 Q2   Tamarine Tanasugarn #44 Win 3–6, 6–2, 6–3
5 Q3   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   Gloria Pizzichini #88 Win 6–2, 6–4
7 Q2   Dominique Monami #29 Loss 2–6, 4–6
Kremlin Cup
Moscow, Russia
Tier I
Carpet, indoor
27 October - 2 November 1997 		8 Q1   Anastasia Myskina #619 Win 6–0, 6–4
9 Q2   Åsa Svensson #46 Win 6–2, 6–3
10 Q3   Magui Serna #42 Win 6–0, 7–6(13-11)
11 1R   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   Elena Likhovtseva #27 Win 6–3, 7–5
13 2R   Mary Pierce #7 Win 6–3, 7–6(7–3)
14 QF   Monica Seles #4 Win 4–6, 6–1, 6–1
15 SF   Lindsay Davenport #5 Loss 4–6, 4–6
1998 Adidas International
Sydney, Australia
Tier II
Hard, outdoor
12–18 January 1998 		16 Q1   Gloria Pizzichini #89 Win 6–3, 6–1
17 Q2   Corina Morariu #55 Win 7–5, 6–4
18 Q3   Laura Golarsa #64 Win 6–2, 6–0
19 1R   Mirjana Lučić #48 Win 3–6, 6–4, 7–5
20 2R   Sandrine Testud #13 Win 7–6(7–5), 3–0 RET
21 QF   Lindsay Davenport #3 Win 1–6, 7–5, 7–5
22 SF   Arantxa Sánchez Vicario #9 Loss 2–6, 1–6
Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
19 January - 1 February 1998 		23 1R   Irina Spîrlea #9 Win 6–7(7–9), 6–3, 6–1
24 2R   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   Katrina Adams #286 Win 6–1, 6–2
26 2R   Annabel Ellwood #110 Win 6–1, 6–3
27 QF   Joannette Kruger #27 Loss 1–6, 1–6
Lipton Championships
Miami, USA
Tier I
Hard, outdoor
16–29 March 1998 		28 1R   Denisa Chládková #59 Win 6–4, 6–0
29 2R   Irina Spîrlea #10 Win 7–6(7–4), 6–0
30 3R   Barbara Paulus #26 Win 6–3, 6–2
31 4R   Patty Schnyder #17 Win 6–0, 4–6, 6–3
32 QF   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   Nathalie Tauziat #12 Win 7–5, 6–0
34 2R   Joannette Kruger #21 Win 5–1 ret
35 3R   Conchita Martínez #8 Win 6–2, 6–2
36 QF   Venus Williams #9 Loss 4–6, 2–6
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam
Clay, outdoor
25 May - 7 June 1998 		37 1R   Jana Nejedly #97 Win 6–2, 1–6, 6–4
38 2R   Corina Morariu #43 Win 6–1, 6–0
39 3R   Dominique Monami #14 Win 6–1, 6–1
40 4R   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   Naoko Sawamatsu #34 Win 6–4, 7–5
42 2R   Ai Sugiyama #17 Win 6–2, 7–5
43 QF   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   Laura Golarsa #77 Win 6–4, 6–3
45 2R   Mirjana Lučić #46 Win 6–3, 6–0
46 3R   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   Larisa Neiland #90 Win 6–0, 6–0
48 2R   Sandrine Testud #14 Win 6–4, 3–6, 6–1
49 QF   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   Nicole Pratt #94 Win 6–3, 3–6, 6–4
51 2R   Pavlina Nola #124 Win 6–2, 6–1
52 3R   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   Květa Hrdličková #64 Win 7–6(7–5), 3–6, 6–0
54 2R   Jana Novotná #3 Win 2–6, 6–3, 2–0 ret
55 QF   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   Venus Williams   Conchita Martínez
  Patricia Tarabini 		#25
#26 		Win 4–6, 7–6(7–5), 7–5
2 2R   Venus Williams   Åsa Svensson
  Anne-Gaëlle Sidot 		#89
#83 		Win 0–6, 6–3, 6–3
3 QF   Venus Williams   Lindsay Davenport
  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   Venus Williams   Jill Hetherington
  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   Venus Williams   Ruxandra Dragomir Ilie
  Iva Majoli 		#22
#37 		Win 6–0, 6–0
6 QF   Venus Williams   Manon Bollegraf
  Mary Joe Fernandez 		#8
#9 		Win 7–6(7–2), 6–2
- SF   Venus Williams   Lindsay Davenport
  Monica Seles 		#1
#84 		Withdrew N/A
1998 Australian Open
Melbourne, Australia
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
19 January - 1 February 1998 		7 1R   Venus Williams   Erika deLone
  Liezel Horn 		#99
#103 		Win 6–4, 6–2
8 2R   Venus Williams   Rika Hiraki
  Mercedes Paz 		#28
#49 		Win 2–6, 6–2, 6–2
9 3R   Venus Williams   Naoko Kijimuta
  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   Venus Williams   Surina De Beer
  Lindsay Lee-Waters 		#208
#86 		Win 6–4, 7–5
11 QF   Venus Williams   Katrina Adams
  Debbie Graham 		#22
#37 		Win 6–4, 4–3 ret
12 SF   Venus Williams   Laura Golarsa
  Liezel Horn 		#84
#102 		Win 6–2, 6–2
13 F   Venus Williams   Cătălina Cristea
  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   Venus Williams   Cătălina Cristea
  Annabel Ellwood 		#84
#66 		Win 6–4, 6–3
15 2R   Venus Williams   Conchita Martínez
  Patricia Tarabini 		#19
#17 		Win 6–4, 6–1
16 QF   Venus Williams   Martina Hingis
  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   Venus Williams   Els Callens
  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   Venus Williams   Naoko Kijimuta
  Nana Smith 		#24
#22 		Win 6–4, 6–4
19 2R   Venus Williams   Virág Csurgó
  Yuka Yoshida 		#122
#68 		Win 7–6(9–7), 6–4
20 QF   Venus Williams   Katrina Adams
  Manon Bollegraf 		#23
#5 		Win 6–2, 6–1
21 SF   Venus Williams   Virginia Ruano Pascual
  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   Venus Williams   Naoko Kijimuta
  Nana Smith 		#24
#23 		Withdrew N/A
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
Filderstadt, Germany
Tier II
Hard, outdoor
5–11 October 1998 		22 1R   Venus Williams   Lisa Raymond
  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   Venus Williams   Lindsay Davenport
  Natasha Zvereva 		#3
#4 		Win 7–6(8–6), 6–2
24 QF   Venus Williams   Amanda Coetzer
  Anna Kournikova 		#32
#13 		Win 1–6, 6–1, 6–2
25 SF   Venus Williams   Manon Bollegraf
  Debbie Graham 		#19
#26 		Win 7–6(10–8), 6–2
26 F   Venus Williams   Mariaan De Swardt
  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   Venus Williams   Elena Likhovtseva
  Ai Sugiyama 		#17
#22 		Win 3–6, 7–5, 7–6(7–4)
- QF   Venus Williams   Anna Kournikova
  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   Lleyton Hewitt   Natasha Zvereva
  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   Luis Lobo   Helena Vildová
  Pavel Vízner 		#131
#40 		Win 6–3, 6–2
3 2R   Luis Lobo   Larisa Savchenko
  Leander Paes 		#4
#6 		Win 7–6(7–4), 6–3
4 3R   Luis Lobo   Ginger Helgeson-Nielsen
  Jim Grabb 		#?
#12 		Win 6–4, 3–6, 6–0
5 QF   Luis Lobo   Kristie Boogert
  Donald Johnson 		#76
#15 		Win 6–3, 7–5
6 SF   Luis Lobo   Rachel McQuillan
  David Macpherson 		#74
#19 		Win 6–1, 6–0
7 F   Luis Lobo   Venus Williams
  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   Max Mirnyi   Cătălina Cristea
  Geoff Grant 		#55
#99 		Win 6–1, 7–6(11-9)
9 2R   Max Mirnyi   Lindsay Davenport
  Brian MacPhie 		#1
#83 		Win 4–6, 7–6(7–4), 6–2
10 3R   Max Mirnyi   Nathalie Tauziat
  Daniel Nestor 		#17
#18 		Win 5–7, 6–3, 6–4
11 QF   Max Mirnyi   Kristine Kunce
  Sandon Stolle 		#49
#67 		Win 7–5, 5–7, 6–4
12 SF   Max Mirnyi   Caroline Vis
  Paul Haarhuis 		#21
#2 		Win 4–6, 6–4, 7–5
13 F   Max Mirnyi   Mirjana Lučić
  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   Max Mirnyi   Miriam Oremans
  Nicklas Kulti 		#46
#29 		Win 6–1, 6–3
- 2R   Max Mirnyi   Lindsay Davenport
  Jan-Michael Gambill 		#5
#1,076 		Walkover N/A
15 QF   Max Mirnyi   Mirjana Lučić
  Mahesh Bhupathi 		#146
#7 		Win 3–6, 7–5, 7–5
16 SF   Max Mirnyi   Debbie Graham
  Sandon Stolle 		#64
#47 		Win 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–3), 6–2
17 F   Max Mirnyi   Lisa Raymond
  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   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   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   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   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   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   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   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   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   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   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   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   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   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   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   Max Mirnyi Grass Winner
defeated Lučić/Bhupathi 6-4, 6-4
31 August 1998-
13 September 1998		 US Open New York (USA) Grand Slam   Max Mirnyi Hard Winner
defeated Raymond/Galbraith 6-2, 6-2

Yearly records edit

Head-to-head matchups edit

1995 edit

  •   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   Venus Williams   Cătălina Cristea
  Kristine Kunce 		7–5, 6–2
Winner 2. October 12, 1998 Zürich, Switzerland (1) Carpet (i)   Venus Williams   Mariaan de Swardt
  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   Luis Lobo   Venus Williams
  Justin Gimelstob		 4–6, 4–6
Winner 1. June 23, 1998 Wimbledon Grass   Max Mirnyi   Mirjana Lučić
  Mahesh Bhupathi		 6–4, 6–4
Winner 2. August 31, 1998 US Open Hard   Max Mirnyi   Lisa Raymond
  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.

External links edit

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