Anna Smashnova
Encyclopedia
Anna Smashnova is a former professional tennis player from Israel
. She retired from professional tennis after Wimbledon 2007.
Smashnova, who has been noted as having a great last name for a tennis player, reached her career-high singles ranking of World # 15 in 2003. She was in 13 finals, and won 12 of them. In addition, she won a junior Grand Slam
championship. She speaks three languages: Russian, English, and Hebrew.
Her family moved to Israel in 1990, after Freddy Krivine, one of the founders of the Israel Tennis Centers
, invited her to immigrate. Smashnova then trained at the Israel Tennis Centers. In 1991, she won the girl's singles title at the French Open.
After turning pro in 1994, Smashnova was named Tennis Magazine/Rolex
Watch Female Rookie of the Year. At the 1994 French Open
she upset world # 5 Jana Novotná
, 6–4, 6–2. At the US Open in 1994 she upset world # 14 Lori McNeil
6–2, 6–4.
She made it to the 4th round of the French Open in both 1995 and 1998—her best results, to date, in Grand Slam competition. She graduated from American International High School, outside Tel Aviv
, in 1995, and completed her mandatory service in the Israeli Army in 1997.
At the 1996 Australian Open
she upset world # 15 Natasha Zvereva
, 6–2, 4–6, 7–5. She won her first top-level WTA
tour singles title in 1999 at Tashkent
.
She won her second career title on July 24, 2000, winning the Sanex Trophy in Belgium. Unseeded in the tournament and ranked only 88th in the world, Smashnova made headlines in her semifinal match by beating former world No. 8 Anna Kournikova
in straight sets. She defeated top-seed Dominique van Roost in the final with an impressive display of precise baseline play.
Smashnova had a huge breakthrough in 2002, winning 4 titles and beating 11 players ranked in the top-20, including Jelena Dokić
, Justine Henin, and Kim Clijsters
. On January 5, 2002, Smashnova won her third WTA Tour title when she defeated Tatiana Panova 6–2, 6–2 in the ASB Classic
at Auckland
, New Zealand.
A week later, on January 12, Smashnova won her second tournament in a row, upsetting top-seed Tamarine Tanasugarn
to win the Canberra Classic
women's tennis tournament.
In March 2002 she upset world # 13 Meghann Shaughnessy
of the US at Indian Wells
, 4–6, 6–3, 6–1. In April she upset world # 7 Justine Henin of Belgium 6–7(6), 6–3, 6–4 in Miami, and world #9 Jelena Dokić in Charleston
, 6–1, 6–3. In May at the Berlin Open
she upset world #3 Kim Clijsters
of Belgium, 5–7, 6–4, 7–5, and world # 14 Daniela Hantuchová
of Slovakia 1–6, 6–2, 6–3.
On June 16, 2002, Smashnova defeated defending champion Iroda Tulyaganova
using her superior speed to win the $170,000 Wien Energie Grand Prix. In August she beat world #13 Elena Dementieva
of Russia 6–2, 5–7, 7–6(2) in San Diego.
On September 15, 2002, Anna collected her fourth WTA title of the year by thrashing Anna Kournikova 6–2, 6–3, in the finals of the Shanghai Open. According to The New York Times
account of the contest, Smashnova "was precise and controlled throughout the match, hitting perfect winners in stride... Kournikova didn't score a point until the third game of the first set when Smashnova hit a shot wide. 'She was like a wall today, hitting everything back', Kournikova said."
In October she beat world # 13 Chanda Rubin
of the US in Zurich, 6–3, 6–3. She played in the 2002 WTA Tour Championships
, and lost in the first round to World # 1 Serena Williams
. On December 7, 2002, Anna married Claudio Pistolesi, her former coach (whom she later divorced), and played for a period of time as "Anna Pistolesi" and "Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi."
She won the 2003 Idea Prokom Open in Poland, beating Klara Koukalová
in the finals 6–2, 6–0. Five days later Smashnova eliminated Karolina Šprem
, 6–3, 1–6, 6–4, in the Nordic Light Open semifinal in Helsinki
. She went on to win her second straight tournament by defeating Croatian Jelena Kostanić
, 4–6, 6–4, 6–0, in the final.
Smashnova began the Pilot Pen Tennis
tournament in New Haven with one of the most impressive victories of her career. She defeated Anastasia Myskina
, ranked #8 in the world, 6–3, 6–7 (2–7), 6–4, and Vera Zvonareva
, ranked #14, 0–6, 7–6(5), 6–2. In October 2003 she defeated world # 13 Nadia Petrova
6–3, 6–3 in Moscow.
Anna won her ninth career title on May 22, 2004, in Vienna
. In the final she beat Alicia Molik
6–3, 3–6, 6–2. In October she defeated world # 14 Ai Sugiyama 6–3, 7–6(3) in Germany.
Smashnova won he 1st round match-up against Maria Sánchez Lorenzo
in the 2005 Australian Open
4–6, 6–0, 6–0. The Israeli shone against Tamarine Tanasugarn
, who was dispensed 6–2, 6–2 in the 2nd round. Smashnova could not keep up with Venus Williams
(seeded eighth) in the 3rd round, as she bowed out 3–6, 0–6.
In July 2006, Smashnova won her 12th tour title at Budapest
, maintaining a 100% winning record in WTA
Tour finals – a record she held alone for players who had won double-digit titles. That was wrecked in August 2006, when she lost in the final of the Forest Hills Tennis Classic women's event to Meghann Shaughnessy
.
In March 2007 Smashnova publicly announced on Israeli radio that she would retire from professional tennis after Wimbledon
2007.
As it turned out, she lost in the first round to German Martina Müller by the double bagel scoreline, 6–0, 6–0.
competition – 61. She is 43–30 in Fed Cup competition for Israel
from 1992–2006, including 7–3 on hard courts in singles.
s. She compares her style to that of the Spaniard Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
– minimizing mistakes, running down every possible ball, and being mentally tough.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. She retired from professional tennis after Wimbledon 2007.
Smashnova, who has been noted as having a great last name for a tennis player, reached her career-high singles ranking of World # 15 in 2003. She was in 13 finals, and won 12 of them. In addition, she won a junior Grand Slam
Grand Slam (tennis)
The four Major tennis tournaments, also called the Slams, are the most important tennis events of the year in terms of world tour ranking points, tradition, prize-money awarded, strength and size of player field, and public attention. They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and...
championship. She speaks three languages: Russian, English, and Hebrew.
Tennis career
Smashnova began playing at the age of 6. She became the # 1 junior in the Soviet Union at the age of 10. She was the top girls' junior player in Russia for four years in the late 1980s, and won the girls' Soviet Union youth championship in 1989 at the age of 14.Her family moved to Israel in 1990, after Freddy Krivine, one of the founders of the Israel Tennis Centers
Israel Tennis Centers
Israel Tennis Centers is the largest tennis program for children in the world, reaching more than 350,000 families—5% of the Israeli population...
, invited her to immigrate. Smashnova then trained at the Israel Tennis Centers. In 1991, she won the girl's singles title at the French Open.
After turning pro in 1994, Smashnova was named Tennis Magazine/Rolex
Rolex
Rolex SA is a Swiss watchmaking manufacturer of high-quality, luxury wristwatches. Rolex watches are popularly regarded as status symbols and BusinessWeek magazine ranks Rolex No.71 on its 2007 annual list of the 100 most valuable global brands...
Watch Female Rookie of the Year. At the 1994 French Open
1994 French Open
List of the 1994 French Open champions:-Men's Singles: Sergi Bruguera def. Alberto Berasategui, 6–3, 7–5, 2–6, 6–1...
she upset world # 5 Jana Novotná
Jana Novotná
Jana Novotná is a former professional tennis player from the Czech Republic. She played a serve and volley game, an increasingly rare style of play among women during her career. She won the women's singles title at Wimbledon in 1998 and was runner-up in three previous Grand Slam tournaments...
, 6–4, 6–2. At the US Open in 1994 she upset world # 14 Lori McNeil
Lori McNeil
Lori McNeil is an African American tennis coach and former professional tennis player from the United States. McNeil was a childhood friend of fellow African American pro Zina Garrison...
6–2, 6–4.
She made it to the 4th round of the French Open in both 1995 and 1998—her best results, to date, in Grand Slam competition. She graduated from American International High School, outside Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, in 1995, and completed her mandatory service in the Israeli Army in 1997.
At the 1996 Australian Open
1996 Australian Open
The 1996 Australian Open was a tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts at Melbourne Park in Melbourne in Victoria in Australia. It was the 84th edition of the Australian Open and was held from 15 through 28 January 1996.-Men's Singles:...
she upset world # 15 Natasha Zvereva
Natasha Zvereva
Natalya "Natasha" Zvereva, or Zverava is a former tennis player from Belarus. Zvereva was the first major athlete in the Soviet Union to demand publicly that she should be able to keep her tournament earnings...
, 6–2, 4–6, 7–5. She won her first top-level WTA
Women's Tennis Association
The Women's Tennis Association , founded in 1973 by Billie Jean King, is the principal organizing body of Women's Professional Tennis. It governs the WTA Tour which is the worldwide professional tennis tour for women. Its counterpart organization in the men's professional game is the Association of...
tour singles title in 1999 at Tashkent
Tashkent Open
The Tashkent Open by Zeromax is a tennis tournament held in Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan. Held since 1999, this WTA Tour event is an International tournament and is played on outdoor hard courts.-Women's Singles:-Women's Doubles:...
.
She won her second career title on July 24, 2000, winning the Sanex Trophy in Belgium. Unseeded in the tournament and ranked only 88th in the world, Smashnova made headlines in her semifinal match by beating former world No. 8 Anna Kournikova
Anna Kournikova
Anna Sergeyevna Kournikova is a Russian retired professional tennis player. Her beauty and celebrity status made her one of the best known tennis stars worldwide, despite the fact that she never won a WTA singles title. At the peak of her fame, fans looking for images of Kournikova made her name...
in straight sets. She defeated top-seed Dominique van Roost in the final with an impressive display of precise baseline play.
Smashnova had a huge breakthrough in 2002, winning 4 titles and beating 11 players ranked in the top-20, including Jelena Dokić
Jelena Dokic
Jelena Dokić is an Australian female professional tennis player.During the height of her career, she played for Serbia and Montenegro and reached a career-high ranking of World No. 4 on 19 August 2002. After several family-related difficulties , she slowly slipped down the rankings in 2006...
, Justine Henin, and Kim Clijsters
Kim Clijsters
Kim Antonie Lode Clijsters is a Belgian professional tennis player. As of 7 November 2011, Clijsters is ranked No. 13 in singles. Clijsters is a former World No. 1 in both singles and doubles....
. On January 5, 2002, Smashnova won her third WTA Tour title when she defeated Tatiana Panova 6–2, 6–2 in the ASB Classic
ASB Classic
The ASB Classic is a tennis tournament held in Auckland, New Zealand. Held since 1986, this WTA Tour event is an International series tournament and is played on outdoor hardcourts during the first week of the year....
at Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand.
A week later, on January 12, Smashnova won her second tournament in a row, upsetting top-seed Tamarine Tanasugarn
Tamarine Tanasugarn
Tamarine Tanasugarn is a professional Thai tennis player. She was born in Los Angeles, United States, and turned professional in 1994. She has been in the top 20 in both singles and doubles....
to win the Canberra Classic
Richard Luton Properties Canberra International
The Richard Luton Properties Canberra International was a women's tennis tournament held in Canberra, Australia. The event was affiliated with the Women's Tennis Association , and was classed variously as a Tier III , a Tier V , and a Tier IV on the WTA Tour. It was competed on outdoor hardcourts...
women's tennis tournament.
In March 2002 she upset world # 13 Meghann Shaughnessy
Meghann Shaughnessy
Meghann Shaughnessy is an American professional tennis player. She achieved a career-high singles ranking of #11 in 2001, and has won six WTA Tour singles titles...
of the US at Indian Wells
Indian Wells Masters
The Indian Wells Masters is an annual tennis tournament held in Indian Wells, California....
, 4–6, 6–3, 6–1. In April she upset world # 7 Justine Henin of Belgium 6–7(6), 6–3, 6–4 in Miami, and world #9 Jelena Dokić in Charleston
Family Circle Cup
The Family Circle Cup is a WTA Tour affiliated professional tennis tournament for women, held every year since 1973. The tournament is currently played on the green clay courts at the Daniel Island Tennis Center in Charleston, South Carolina, USA...
, 6–1, 6–3. In May at the Berlin Open
Qatar Telecom German Open
The German Open, sponsored from 2006 through 2008 as the Qatar Telecom German Open, was a WTA Tour affiliated professional tennis tournament for women played in Berlin, Germany. Held since 1896, it was one of the oldest tournaments for women...
she upset world #3 Kim Clijsters
Kim Clijsters
Kim Antonie Lode Clijsters is a Belgian professional tennis player. As of 7 November 2011, Clijsters is ranked No. 13 in singles. Clijsters is a former World No. 1 in both singles and doubles....
of Belgium, 5–7, 6–4, 7–5, and world # 14 Daniela Hantuchová
Daniela Hantuchová
Daniela Hantuchová is a Slovak professional tennis player. She turned professional in 1999 and had her breakthrough year in 2002, when she won her first Tier I tournament and ended the year in the top 10.She is currently coached by Larri Passos...
of Slovakia 1–6, 6–2, 6–3.
On June 16, 2002, Smashnova defeated defending champion Iroda Tulyaganova
Iroda Tulyaganova
Iroda Tulyaganova is a professional tennis player who comes from Uzbekistan.She has been ranked as high as No.16 on the WTA Tour and has won three WTA singles titles in her career...
using her superior speed to win the $170,000 Wien Energie Grand Prix. In August she beat world #13 Elena Dementieva
Elena Dementieva
Elena Viatcheslavovna Dementieva is a retired Russian professional tennis player. Dementieva is most notable for winning the singles gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. She won 16 WTA singles titles and reached the finals of the 2004 French Open and 2004 US Open. Dementieva achieved a...
of Russia 6–2, 5–7, 7–6(2) in San Diego.
On September 15, 2002, Anna collected her fourth WTA title of the year by thrashing Anna Kournikova 6–2, 6–3, in the finals of the Shanghai Open. According to The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
account of the contest, Smashnova "was precise and controlled throughout the match, hitting perfect winners in stride... Kournikova didn't score a point until the third game of the first set when Smashnova hit a shot wide. 'She was like a wall today, hitting everything back', Kournikova said."
In October she beat world # 13 Chanda Rubin
Chanda Rubin
Chanda Rubin is an American tennis player. Winning seven WTA Tour singles titles, she reached her highest ranking World No. 6 on April 8, 1996, after reaching semifinals at the 1996 Australian Open. Rubin is also former World No...
of the US in Zurich, 6–3, 6–3. She played in the 2002 WTA Tour Championships
WTA Tour Championships
The WTA Tour Championships is a tennis tournament played annually at the end of the season for the top-ranked players on the Women's Tennis Association tour. The month, city and number of players has changed since the first edition in 1972...
, and lost in the first round to World # 1 Serena Williams
Serena Williams
Serena Jameka Williams is an American professional tennis player and a former world no. 1. The Women's Tennis Association has ranked her world no. 1 in singles on five separate occasions. She became the world no. 1 for the first time on July 8, 2002 and regained this ranking for the fifth time on...
. On December 7, 2002, Anna married Claudio Pistolesi, her former coach (whom she later divorced), and played for a period of time as "Anna Pistolesi" and "Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi."
She won the 2003 Idea Prokom Open in Poland, beating Klara Koukalová
Klára Koukalová
Klára Zakopalová is a Czech professional female tennis player. She was born and still lives in Prague, the capital.-Career:In her career, Zakopalová has reached eight singles finals and won two, both in 2005: on grass in Rosmalen and in September in Portorož on hard court.In January 2006, she...
in the finals 6–2, 6–0. Five days later Smashnova eliminated Karolina Šprem
Karolina Šprem
Karolina Šprem was a Croatian tennis player.She has won eight titles all at the ITF level. She has not won any titles on the WTA Tour. Career highlight is a quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon in 2004 where she defeated two-time champion, four-time finalist and then-world No...
, 6–3, 1–6, 6–4, in the Nordic Light Open semifinal in Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
. She went on to win her second straight tournament by defeating Croatian Jelena Kostanić
Jelena Kostanic
Jelena Kostanić Tošić is a retired professional female tennis player from Croatia. On July 26, 2004 she reached her career-high singles ranking: World No. 32...
, 4–6, 6–4, 6–0, in the final.
Smashnova began the Pilot Pen Tennis
Pilot Pen Tennis
This article is about the former New Haven joint tennis event. It is now a women's-only event. For the New Haven men's tennis event known as Volvo International , click here....
tournament in New Haven with one of the most impressive victories of her career. She defeated Anastasia Myskina
Anastasia Myskina
Anastasiya Andreyevna Myskina is a professional tennis player from Russia. She won the 2004 French Open singles title, becoming the first Russian female tennis player to win a Grand Slam main draw singles title. Subsequent to this victory she rose to number 3 on the WTA ranking, becoming the first...
, ranked #8 in the world, 6–3, 6–7 (2–7), 6–4, and Vera Zvonareva
Vera Zvonareva
Vera Zvonareva is a professional tennis player from Russia. She was introduced to tennis at the age of six and turned professional in 2000. Her career high is World No. 2 by the WTA, and she is currently ranked as the World No. 7. Zvonarёva has won twelve WTA Tour singles titles and reached the...
, ranked #14, 0–6, 7–6(5), 6–2. In October 2003 she defeated world # 13 Nadia Petrova
Nadia Petrova
Nadezhda Viktorovna Petrova is a Russian professional tennis player.Overall, she has won 28 WTA Titles, ten in singles and eighteen in doubles. In singles, Petrova has reached a career high ranking of World No. 3 in May 2006 and has reached the semi-finals of the French Open in 2003 and 2005...
6–3, 6–3 in Moscow.
Anna won her ninth career title on May 22, 2004, in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
. In the final she beat Alicia Molik
Alicia Molik
Alicia Molik is a Australian professional female tennis player. She reached a career high singles rank of number 8 and also won a bronze medal for Australia at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Molik also reached a career high doubles ranking of number 6, and won two grand slam doubles titles, at the...
6–3, 3–6, 6–2. In October she defeated world # 14 Ai Sugiyama 6–3, 7–6(3) in Germany.
Smashnova won he 1st round match-up against Maria Sánchez Lorenzo
María Sánchez Lorenzo
María Antonia Sánchez Lorenzo is a retired Spanish professional tennis player.Her highest WTA ranking has been World No...
in the 2005 Australian Open
2005 Australian Open
The 2005 Australian Open was a Grand Slam tennis tournament held in Melbourne, Australia from 17 until 30 January 2005.-Men's Singles: Marat Safin def. Lleyton Hewitt, 1–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–4...
4–6, 6–0, 6–0. The Israeli shone against Tamarine Tanasugarn
Tamarine Tanasugarn
Tamarine Tanasugarn is a professional Thai tennis player. She was born in Los Angeles, United States, and turned professional in 1994. She has been in the top 20 in both singles and doubles....
, who was dispensed 6–2, 6–2 in the 2nd round. Smashnova could not keep up with Venus Williams
Venus Williams
Venus Ebony Starr Williams is an American professional tennis player who is a former World No. 1 and is ranked World No. 101 as of 10 October 2011 in singles and World No. 20 in doubles as of 2011. She has been ranked World No. 1 in singles by the Women's Tennis Association on three separate...
(seeded eighth) in the 3rd round, as she bowed out 3–6, 0–6.
In July 2006, Smashnova won her 12th tour title at Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, maintaining a 100% winning record in WTA
Women's Tennis Association
The Women's Tennis Association , founded in 1973 by Billie Jean King, is the principal organizing body of Women's Professional Tennis. It governs the WTA Tour which is the worldwide professional tennis tour for women. Its counterpart organization in the men's professional game is the Association of...
Tour finals – a record she held alone for players who had won double-digit titles. That was wrecked in August 2006, when she lost in the final of the Forest Hills Tennis Classic women's event to Meghann Shaughnessy
Meghann Shaughnessy
Meghann Shaughnessy is an American professional tennis player. She achieved a career-high singles ranking of #11 in 2001, and has won six WTA Tour singles titles...
.
In March 2007 Smashnova publicly announced on Israeli radio that she would retire from professional tennis after Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
2007.
As it turned out, she lost in the first round to German Martina Müller by the double bagel scoreline, 6–0, 6–0.
Fed Cup
Smashnova holds the record for most ties played in Fed CupFed Cup
Fed Cup is the premier team competition in women's tennis, launched in 1963 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the International Tennis Federation...
competition – 61. She is 43–30 in Fed Cup competition for Israel
Israel Fed Cup team
The Israel Fed Cup team is the representative national team of Israel in Fed Cup competition. In the 2007 Fed Cup, they qualified from the World Group II and World Group Play-offs to reach the elite World Group for the first time in the team's history. They will participate within this group at...
from 1992–2006, including 7–3 on hard courts in singles.
Style of play
Smashnova was a baseliner, who was most at home on clay courtClay court
A clay court is one of the four different types of tennis court. Clay courts are made of crushed shale, stone or brick. The red clay is slower than the green, or Har-Tru "American" clay. The French Open uses clay courts, making it unique among the Grand Slam tournaments.Clay courts are more common...
s. She compares her style to that of the Spaniard Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
Aránzazu 'Arantxa' Isabel Maria Sánchez Vicario is a Spanish former professional tennis player...
– minimizing mistakes, running down every possible ball, and being mentally tough.
Singles (19)
| Legend (Singles) |
| Tier I (0) |
| Tier II (0) |
| Tier III (3) |
| Tier IV and V (9) |
| Grand Slam Title (0) |
| WTA Tour Championship (0) |
| ITF Circuit (7) |
| No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score |
| 1. | July 11, 1993 |  ErlangenErlangen Erlangen is a Middle Franconian city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located at the confluence of the river Regnitz and its large tributary, the Untere Schwabach.Erlangen has more than 100,000 inhabitants.... , Germany |
Clay | Isabel Cueto Isabel Cueto Isabel Cueto is a retired professional tennis player from Germany. Her career high ranking was No. 20, which she achieved on 28 August 1989.-Early life:... |
6–3 6–1 |
| 2. | November 23, 1997 |  JaffaJaffa Jaffa is an ancient port city believed to be one of the oldest in the world. Jaffa was incorporated with Tel Aviv creating the city of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Jaffa is famous for its association with the biblical story of the prophet Jonah.-Etymology:... , Israel Israel The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea... |
Hard | Tzipora Obziler Tzipora Obziler Tzipora Obziler is a former professional right-handed tennis player.She reached her career-high singles world ranking of #75 in on July 8, 2007, and doubles ranking of #149 on April 10, 2000.... |
6–3 6–2 |
| 3. | April 12, 1998 |  AthensAthens Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state... , Greece |
Clay |  Rita Kuti-KisRita Kuti-Kis Rita Kuti-Kis is a former professional tennis player from Hungary. In 1992 she was beaten by future international no 1 Martina Hingis in the Petits As competition, a juniors tournament at Tarbes, France which has been renowned for the discovery of young tennis talent... |
1–6 6–2 6–2 |
| 4. | May 17, 1998 |  PortoPorto Porto , also known as Oporto in English, is the second largest city in Portugal and one of the major urban areas in the Iberian Peninsula. Its administrative limits include a population of 237,559 inhabitants distributed within 15 civil parishes... , Portugal |
Clay |  Alexia Dechaume-BalleretAlexia Dechaume-Balleret Alexia Dechaume-Balleret is a former professional tennis player from France. She reached her career high singles ranking of No. 46 in the world on August 17, 1992.... |
6–2 6–2 |
| 5. | October 4, 1998 |  Santa ClaraSanta Clara, California Santa Clara , founded in 1777 and incorporated in 1852, is a city in Santa Clara County, in the U.S. state of California. The city is the site of the eighth of 21 California missions, Mission Santa Clara de Asís, and was named after the mission. The Mission and Mission Gardens are located on the... , United States |
Hard | Amy Frazier Amy Frazier Amy Frazier is a now inactive professional female tennis player from the United States.She debuted in 1987 and was active player until the 2006 US Open in which she made her 20th consecutive appearance... |
2–6 6–4 6–2 |
| 6. | June 13, 1999 |  TashkentTashkent Open The Tashkent Open by Zeromax is a tennis tournament held in Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan. Held since 1999, this WTA Tour event is an International tournament and is played on outdoor hard courts.-Women's Singles:-Women's Doubles:... , Uzbekistan Uzbekistan Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south.... |
Hard |  Laurence CourtoisLaurence Courtois Laurence Courtois is a former professional female tennis player from Belgium.Courtois won four doubles titles on the WTA Tour during her career.-Singles 2:-Doubles 9 :-References:*... |
6–3 6–3 |
| 7. | October 17, 1999 | Largo Largo -Music:* Largo, a very slow tempo, or a musical piece or movement in such a tempo* Handel's Largo or "Ombra mai fù", an aria from the opera Serse* Hugo Largo, American band from the 1980s* Strong and stately... , United States |
Hard | Marissa Irvin Marissa Irvin Marissa Irvin is an American former tennis player. She reached her highest singles ranking on August 12, 2002, when she became No. 51 in the world. Her best result at a Grand Slam was the third round of the French Open, which she achieved three straight years from 2003 to 2005... |
7–6 6–1 |
| 8. | July 23, 2000 | Knokke-Heist French Community Championships The French Community Championships was a WTA Tour tennis tournament in Knokke-Heist and Brussels, Belgium .-Singles:... , Belgium |
Clay | Dominique van Roost |
6–2 7–5 |
| 9. | January 6, 2002 |  AucklandASB Classic The ASB Classic is a tennis tournament held in Auckland, New Zealand. Held since 1986, this WTA Tour event is an International series tournament and is played on outdoor hardcourts during the first week of the year.... , New Zealand |
Hard |  Tatiana PanovaTatiana Panova Tatiana Urayevna Panova is a Russian professional female tennis player. On 23 September 2002 Panova reached her career-high singles ranking: World No. 20.... |
6–2 6–2 |
| 10. | January 13, 2002 |  CanberraRichard Luton Properties Canberra International The Richard Luton Properties Canberra International was a women's tennis tournament held in Canberra, Australia. The event was affiliated with the Women's Tennis Association , and was classed variously as a Tier III , a Tier V , and a Tier IV on the WTA Tour. It was competed on outdoor hardcourts... , Australia |
Hard |  Tamarine TanasugarnTamarine Tanasugarn Tamarine Tanasugarn is a professional Thai tennis player. She was born in Los Angeles, United States, and turned professional in 1994. She has been in the top 20 in both singles and doubles.... |
7–5 7–6(2) |
| 11. | June 16, 2002 |  ViennaVienna Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre... , Austria |
Clay | Iroda Tulyaganova Iroda Tulyaganova Iroda Tulyaganova is a professional tennis player who comes from Uzbekistan.She has been ranked as high as No.16 on the WTA Tour and has won three WTA singles titles in her career... |
6–4 6–1 |
| 12. | September 15, 2002 |  Shanghai, China |
Hard | Anna Kournikova Anna Kournikova Anna Sergeyevna Kournikova is a Russian retired professional tennis player. Her beauty and celebrity status made her one of the best known tennis stars worldwide, despite the fact that she never won a WTA singles title. At the peak of her fame, fans looking for images of Kournikova made her name... |
6–2 6–3 |
| 13. | August 2, 2003 |  Sopot, Poland |
Clay |  Klára Zakopalová |
6–2 6–0 |
| 14. | August 10, 2003 |  HelsinkiNordea Nordic Light Open The Nordea Nordic Light Open was a tennis tournament held in Stockholm, Sweden . Held from 2002 to 2008, this WTA Tour event was a Tier IV-tournament and was played on outdoor hardcourts.-Singles:-Doubles:... , Finland |
Clay |  Jelena KostanićJelena Kostanic Jelena Kostanić Tošić is a retired professional female tennis player from Croatia. On July 26, 2004 she reached her career-high singles ranking: World No. 32... |
4–6 6–4 6–0 |
| 15. | May 22, 2004 | Vienna Vienna Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre... , Austria |
Clay | Alicia Molik Alicia Molik Alicia Molik is a Australian professional female tennis player. She reached a career high singles rank of number 8 and also won a bronze medal for Australia at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Molik also reached a career high doubles ranking of number 6, and won two grand slam doubles titles, at the... |
6–2 3–6 6–2 |
| 16. | July 17, 2005 |  ModenaInternazionali di Modena The Internazionali di Modena was a tennis tournament held in Modena, Italy. Held once, in 2005, this WTA Tour event was played on outdoor claycourts.-Singles:-Doubles:-References:*... , Italy |
Clay | Tathiana Garbin Tathiana Garbin Tathiana Garbin is an Italian tennis player. As of 17 May 2010, she is ranked World No. 56 in singles and No. 38 in doubles. Garbin is probably best known for her shocking defeat of the defending champion and the reigning World No. 1 Justine Henin in the second round of the 2004 French Open... |
6–6 ret. |
| 17. | August 31, 2005 | Budapest Budapest Grand Prix The Poli-Farbe Budapest Grand Prix, formerly Gaz de France Grand Prix, Budapest Grand Prix and GDF SUEZ Grand Prix, is a tennis tournament held in Budapest, Hungary. Held since 1993, this WTA Tour event is an International-level tournament and is played on outdoor clay... , Hungary |
Clay |  Catalina CastañoCatalina Castaño Catalina Castaño Alvarez is a professional female Colombian tennis player. On July 10, 2006, Catalina reached her career-high singles ranking: World No. 35. Since November 2006, she is the highest ranked South American female tennis player... |
6–2 6–2 |
| 18. | June 11, 2006 | Prostějov Prostejov Prostějov is a city in the Olomouc Region of the Czech Republic. Today the city is known for its fashion industry and special military forces based there.... , Czech Republic |
Clay | Romina Oprandi Romina Oprandi Romina Sarina Oprandi is an Italian female professional tennis player. She turned professional in 2005 and has been ranked as high as 46 in the world .-Tennis career:... |
walkover |
| 19. | July 30, 2006 | Budapest Budapest Grand Prix The Poli-Farbe Budapest Grand Prix, formerly Gaz de France Grand Prix, Budapest Grand Prix and GDF SUEZ Grand Prix, is a tennis tournament held in Budapest, Hungary. Held since 1993, this WTA Tour event is an International-level tournament and is played on outdoor clay... , Hungary |
Clay |  Lourdes Domínguez LinoLourdes Dominguez Lino Lourdes Domínguez Lino is a Spanish professional female tennis player. On 11 September 2006 Domínguez Lino reached her career-high singles ranking: World No... |
6–1 6–3 |
Singles finalist (1)
- 2006: Forest Hills (lost to Meghann ShaughnessyMeghann ShaughnessyMeghann Shaughnessy is an American professional tennis player. She achieved a career-high singles ranking of #11 in 2001, and has won six WTA Tour singles titles...
)