2004 Serena Williams tennis season

2004 Serena Williams tennis season
Name Serena Jameka Williams
Country  United States
Calendar prize money $2,251,798
Singles
Season record 39–9 (81%)
Calendar titles 2
Year-end ranking 7
Ranking change from previous year Decrease 4
Grand Slam results
Australian Open A
French Open QF
Wimbledon F
US Open QF
Olympic Games A

Serena Williams's 2004 tennis season did not begin until Miami, due to a left knee injury which kept her off court since Wimbledon in 2003.

Year in Detail

NASDAQ-100 Open

Williams missed the first quarter of the season and played her first tournament at the NASDAQ-100 Open in Miami. Williams was seeded first despite the 8 month lay-off with the withdrawal of the top 5.[1] Williams played her first match against Marta Marrero dropping only a game in just 42 minutes.[2] In her next match, she took on Elena Likhovtseva, the pair traded sets to push it to a decider which Williams won in her fifth match point.[3] In the Round of 16, Williams won in straight sets against young Russian Maria Sharapova.[4] In the last 8, Williams dominated compatriot Jill Craybas, dropping only a single game.[5] Williams then faced surprise semifinalist Eleni Daniilidou and won both set in four to advance to her first final in her first tournament since winning Wimbledon.[6] In the final, Williams faced Russian Elena Dementieva. Dementieva took the first game before Williams could win the next 11 games before Dementieva could take another game. Williams then close it out in the next game to win her third Miami title in 50 minutes.[7]

Clay Season and French Open

Bausch & Lomb Championships

Williams began her claycourt season at the Bausch & Lomb Championships where she was the second seed. Williams received a bye and then faced Mary Pierce in her first match and defeated the former Amelia Island champion in straight sets.[8] In the third round, Williams took on Karolina Šprem and took the first set with a drop of only a game, but Šprem took the first 3 games of the second just to see Williams take 7 of the next 9 to win the match.[9] In the last 8, Williams went against 7th seed Nadia Petrova, Williams fell in straight sets after tweaking her knee in the fifth game and making 42 unforced errors.[10]

Family Circle Cup

Williams then played at the Family Circle Cup as the second seed. Williams received a bye in the first round to win in straight sets against Kelly McCain dropping only a game. Williams then withdrew from her match against Conchita Martínez with a sore left knee.[11][12]

Internazionali BNL d'Italia

After missing a month due to knee injury, Williams came back at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Williams had a bye in the first round, she then played María Sánchez Lorenzo, Williams was a bit rusty losing the first two games in each set, but came through in straight sets.[13] Williams then faced Dally Randriantefy, Williams only dropped four games, despite failing to serve the match at eight game of the second.[14] In the final 8, Williams went against Svetlana Kuznetsova, after scrapping through the first set, Williams ended the match with a bagel to advance.[15] In the semifinals, Williams fell to Jennifer Capriati in straight sets despite saving a match point, winning only four games in each set.[16]

French Open

Williams came into the French Open as the second seed. She opened her campaign against Iveta Benešová and won in straight sets, including a 28 point game in the seventh game of the second set.[17] Williams next opponent was young Russian Maria Kirilenko who was making her French Open debut, The pair traded the first two sets, with Kirilenko leading by a break in the third, Williams then broke back in th eight game and also broke in the tenth game to take the match.[18] Williams then took on Silvija Talaja, Williams won in straight dropping only 4 games and delivering a bagel in the first set, despite making 9 double faults in the match.[19] In the fourth round, Williams came through with ease against Japan's Shinobu Asagoe.[20] Williams then took on compatriot Jennifer Capriati, the two Americans traded the first two sets, which was halted by rain. The third set, saw Capriati took and early break, and Williams broke back, just to be broken again in the eight game and took initiative and served it out.[21]

Wimbledon

Williams came into Wimbledon as the two-time defending champion. Williams defeated Zheng Jie, dropping only four games and saved all ten break points she faced.[22] In the following round, Williams took on Stéphanie Foretz Gacon and made quick work of the first set, taking it in a bagel. Williams then took the next set with a break lead. She then continued her good run again dropping four games, with a bagel in the second against Magüi Serna.[23] In the round of 16, Williams faced fresh faced 16 year old Tatiana Golovin and made quick work in straight sets.[24] In a much anticipated quarterfinal match-up against Jennifer Capriati, Williams made quick work of her adversary in a double bagel in just 42 minutes.[25] Williams had a semifinal clash against Amélie Mauresmo, Williams dropped her first set of the tournament in a tie-break. Williams then came back by breaking the Frenchwoman at the end of the second and third set, to come through to her third Wimbledon final in a row.[26] In the final, Williams took on surprise finalist Maria Sharapova, where Serena lost surprisingly in straight sets, handing her younger Russian foe her first slam.[27]

US Open Series

JPMorgan Chase Open

Williams began her US Open Series at the JPMorgan Chase Open, She received a bye in the first round as the top seed and then faced Greek Eleni Daniilidou. Williams took the first with ease, but scraped through the second in a tie-break.[28] She then took out Arantxa Sánchez Vicario in the following round in straight sets, with a bagel in the first. In the final 8, Williams went against Russian Vera Zvonareva, after dropping the first set, Williams was able to go through 3 and 3. She then faced another Russian in Elena Dementieva and beat Dementieva in two close sets.[29] However, in the final Williams was beaten comfortably by compatriot Lindsay Davenport, Williams winning only four games.[30]

Acura Classic and Olympics

Williams then played at the Acura Classic. She received a bye in the first round and faced Jelena Janković losing the first set in a tie-break, but taking the next two sets to advance. In the round of 16, she took on Russian Elena Bovina and won in straight sets. However, Williams withdrew prior to her quarterfinal match against Vera Zvonareva because of swelling in her left knee.[31] Williams was bound to play at the Olympics, when she withdrew due to the same injury.[32]

US Open

"I'm very angry and bitter right now. I felt cheated. Shall I go on? I just feel robbed," a composed Williams said, laughing a bit. "At first, I thought it was another Wimbledon conspiracy."

Williams after her quarterfinal loss

Williams aiming for her third US Open title after missing last year's edition. Williams' opened up against Czech Sandra Kleinová, Williams made quick work of Kleinová, winning in straight sets in just 53 minutes.[33] In the following round Williams faced compatriot Lindsay Lee-Waters and dropped just seven games to advance.[34] In the third round, Williams took on quick rising 16 year old Tatiana Golovin. Golovin broke Williams early, however Williams came back and broke in the seventh game and took the set in the twelfth game. Williams then won the second set with a single break lead.[35] In the round of 16, Williams defeated Patty Schnyder in two comfortable sets to advance to the quarterfinals.[36] In the last 8, Williams took on adversary Jennifer Capriati, Williams dominated the 1st set with two breaks. Capriati then came back to win the second set. Capriati then took the final set to send Williams packing. However, the match was full of intrigue as several bad calls were made in the match against Williams.[37] An overrule was made by chair umpire Mariana Alves in Capriati's favor, even though later video review showed this to be an error (as William's shot was well-inside the court). This was one of several calls that incorrectly went against Williams throughout the match. Williams attempted to argue the call, but was not successful. Capriati won the match, but tournament officials dismissed the umpire from the tournament. The controversy renewed calls for the adoption of technology like the MacCam and Hawk-Eye systems.[38]

Asian and indoor season

China Open

Williams's next tournament was the inaugural China Open. She received a bye in the first round and faced Dinara Safina and was pushed by her 60th-ranked opponent to a third set, which Williams won in four.[39] In the quarterfinals, she faced Nadia Petrova; however, Petrova retired while Williams was leading by a set and a break.[40] In the final four, Williams took on another Russian, Vera Zvonareva, and won in straight sets.[41] In the final, Williams faced her fourth Russian opponent in US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, making Williams take on only Russians in the event. Kuznetsova took the first set, by breaking Williams in the tenth game. Williams then saved a match point in the second and broke her Russian foe in the eleventh game and served it out in the following game. In the third set, Williams raced through the first four game; however, Kuznetsova won four of the next five games. Williams served it out in the tenth game, to end Kuznetsova's 14-match winning streak and win her second title of the year.[42]

Generali Ladies Linz

After withdrawing from Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and Zurich Open, Williams chose to compete at the Generali Ladies Linz despite being unwell and hampered still by a knee injury. Williams received a bye and faced Russian Alina Jidkova. Williams lost the first set in a tie-break and eventually lost the second set and the match at two.[43]

WTA Tour Championships

Williams qualified for the Season Ending Championships and was placed in the Red Group with world no. 1 Lindsay Davenport, Anastasia Myskina, and Elena Dementieva. Williams played her first round robin match against 5th-ranked Dementieva. Williams scraped through in straight sets, winning the first set in a tie-break and the second set in the twelfth game. In her second round robin, Williams took on another Russian and French Open champion, Myskina. Myskina took a set and the first three games of the second set. However, Williams took six games in a row to push it to a third. Williams then took the third set in the tenth game.[44] In her final round robin, Williams faced Davenport. Williams took the first set; however, Davenport pegged back, winning a tightly contested second set. Davenport then closed out the final set, letting Williams win only a game. Despite the loss, Williams came through to the semifinals, while Davenport was eliminated.[45] In the semifinals, Williams took on Amélie Mauresmo, her French opponent won the first set. However, Williams came back and won the second set in a tie-break. Williams then closed out the final set at four to advance to the final.[46] In the championship match, Williams took on Maria Sharapova in a rematch of the Wimbledon final. The pair traded the first two sets. Williams aggravated an already-existing abdominal injury at the end of the second set that limited her service motion. Williams took the first four games; however, Sharapova took the last six games, to earn her second win over the younger Williams.[47]

All matches

Singles matches

Tournament Match Round Opponent Rank Result Score
NASDAQ-100 Open
Key Biscayne, Miami, USA
WTA Tier I
Hard
21 March - 4 April 2004
1R Bye
296 2R Spain Marta Marrero #83 Win 6–1, 6–0
297 3R Russia Elena Likhovtseva #42 Win 6–1, 4–6, 6–3
298 4R Russia Maria Sharapova #23 Win 6–4, 6–3
299 QF United States Jill Craybas #63 Win 6–0, 6–1
300 SF Greece Eleni Daniilidou #35 Win 6–4, 6-4
301 F Russia Elena Dementieva #8 Win 6–1, 6–1
Bausch & Lomb Championships
Amelia Island, USA
WTA Tier II
Clay, Green
5–11 April 2004
1R Bye
302 2R France Mary Pierce #29 Win 6–3, 6–1
303 3R Croatia Karolina Šprem #34 Win 6–1, 7–5
304 QF Russia Nadia Petrova #9 Loss 2–6, 3–6
Family Circle Cup
Charleston, USA
WTA Tier I
Clay, Green
12–18 April 2004
1R Bye
305 2R United States Kelly Mc Cain #176 Win 6–1, 6–0
3R Spain Conchita Martínez #24 Withdrew N/A
Internazionali BNL d'Italia
Rome, Italy
WTA Tier I
Clay, Red
10–16 May 2004
1R Bye
306 2R Spain María Sánchez Lorenzo #38 Win 7–5, 6–3
307 3R Madagascar Dally Randriantefy #97 Win 6–1, 6–3
308 QF Russia Svetlana Kuznetsova #12 Win 7–5, 6–0
309 SF United States Jennifer Capriati #9 Loss 4–6, 4-6
French Open
Paris, France
Grand Slam
Grass
24 May - 6 June 2004
310 1R Czech Republic Iveta Benešová #51 Win 6–2, 6–2
311 2R Russia Maria Kirilenko #100 Win 4–6, 6–2, 6–4
312 3R Croatia Silvija Talaja #106 Win 6–0, 6–4
313 4R Japan Shinobu Asagoe #52 Win 6–3, 6–1
314 QF United States Jennifer Capriati #6 Loss 3–6, 6–2, 3–6
Wimbledon
London, United Kingdom
Grand Slam
Grass
21 June - 4 July 2004
315 1R China Zheng Jie #51 Win 6–3, 6–1
316 2R France Stéphanie Foretz Gacon #135 Win 6–0, 6–4
317 3R Spain Magüi Serna #53 Win 6–4, 6–0
318 4R France Tatiana Golovin #54 Win 6–2, 6–1
319 QF United States Jennifer Capriati #7 Win 6–1, 6–1
320 SF France Amélie Mauresmo #4 Win 6–7(4–7), 7–5, 6-4
321 F Russia Maria Sharapova #15 Loss 1–6, 4–6
JPMorgan Chase Open
Los Angeles, United States
WTA Tier II
Hard
19–25 July 2004
1R Bye
322 2R Greece Eleni Daniilidou #33 Win 6–1, 7–6(7–3)
323 3R Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario #60 Win 6–0, 6–3
324 QF Russia Vera Zvonareva #14 Win 4–6, 6–3, 6–3
325 SF Russia Elena Dementieva #6 Win 6–3, 7–6(7-4)
326 F United States Lindsay Davenport #5 Loss 1–6, 3–6
Acura Classic
San Diego, United States
WTA Tier I
Hard
25 July – 1 August 2004
1R Bye
327 2R Serbia and Montenegro Jelena Janković #44 Win 6–7(3–7), 6–3, 6–2
328 3R Russia Elena Bovina #22 Win 6–4, 6–2
QF Russia Vera Zvonareva #15 Withdrew N/A
US Open
New York City, United States
Grand Slam
Hard, outdoor
30 August - 12 September 2004
329 1R Czech Republic Sandra Kleinová #84 Win 6–1, 6–3
330 2R United States Lindsay Lee-Waters #86 Win 6–4, 6–3
331 3R France Tatiana Golovin #31 Win 7–5, 6–4
332 4R Switzerland Patty Schnyder #16 Win 6–4, 6–2
333 QF United States Jennifer Capriati #8 Loss 6–2, 4–6, 4–6
China Open
Beijing, China
WTA Tier II
Hard
20–26 September 2004
1R Bye
334 2R Russia Dinara Safina #60 Win 6–4, 3–6, 6–4
335 QF Russia Nadia Petrova #13 Win 6–2, 4–1 Ret
336 SF Russia Vera Zvonareva #11 Win 6–2, 6-3
337 F Russia Svetlana Kuznetsova #5 Win 4–6, 7–5, 6-4
Generali Ladies Linz
Linz, Austria
WTA Tier II
Hard (i)
25–31 October 2004
1R Bye
338 2R Russia Alina Jidkova #73 Loss 6–7(5–7), 2–6
rowspan="5" style="background:#FFFF99;" text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"|WTA Tour Championships
Los Angeles, United States
Year-End Championship
Hard, indoor
8 – 14 November 2012
339 RR Russia Elena Dementieva #5 Win 7–6(7–3), 7–5
340 RR Russia Anastasia Myskina #3 Win 4–6, 6–3, 6–4
341 RR United States Lindsay Davenport #1 Loss 6–3, 5–7, 1–6
342 SF France Amélie Mauresmo #2 Win 4–6, 7–6(7–2), 6–4
343 F Russia Maria Sharapova #6 Loss 4–6, 6–2, 6–4

Tournament schedule

Singles schedule

Williams' 2004 singles tournament schedule is as follows:

Date Championship Location Category Surface Points Outcome
21 March 2004 –
4 April 2004
NASDAQ-100 Open Miami (USA) WTA Tier I Hard 325 Winner
defeated Elena Dementieva 6–1, 6–1
5 April 2004 –
11 April 2004
Bausch & Lomb Championships Amelia Islands (USA) WTA Tier II Clay (Green) 49 Quarterfinals
lost to Elena Dementieva 2–6, 3–6
12 April 2004 –
18 April 2004
Family Circle Cup Charleston (USA) WTA Tier I Clay (Green) 42 Third Round
Withdrew before match against Conchita Martínez
10 May 2004 –
16 May 2004
Internazionali BNL d'Italia Cincinnati (USA) WTA Tier I Clay 135 Quarterfinals
lost to Jennifer Capriati 4–6, 4–6
24 May 2004 –
6 June 2004
French Open Paris (FRA) Grand Slam Clay 162 Quarterfinals
lost to Jennifer Capriati, 3–6, 6–2, 3–6
21 June 2004 –
4 July 2004
Wimbledon Championships London (GBR) Grand Slam Grass 456 Final
lost to Maria Sharapova, 1–6, 4–6
19 July 2004 –
25 July 2004
JPMorgan Chase Open Los Angeles (USA) WTA Tier II Hard 137 Final
lost to Lindsay Davenport, 1–6, 3–6
26 July 2004 –
1 August 2004
Acura Classic San Diego (USA) WTA Tier I Hard 75 Quarterfinals
Withdrew before match against Vera Zvonareva
30 August 2004 –
12 September 2004
US Open New York (USA) Grand Slam Hard 162 Quarterfinals
lost to Jennifer Capriati, 6–2, 4–6, 4–6
20 September 2004 –
26 September 2004
China Open Beijing (CHN) WTA Tier II Hard 195 Winner
defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova, 4–6, 7–5, 6–4
25 October 2004 –
31 October 2004
Generali Ladies Linz Linz (AUT) WTA Tier II Hard (i) 1 Second Round
lost to Alina Jidkova 6–7(5–7), 2–6
8 November 2004 –
14 November 2004
2004 WTA Tour Championships Los Angeles (USA) Year-End Championship Hard (i) 340 Final
lost to Maria Sharapova 6–4, 2–6, 4–6
Total year-end points 2079

Yearly records

Head–to–head matchups

Ordered by percentage of wins

Finals

Singles: 5 (2–3)

Legend
Grand Slam (0–1)
Year-End Championships (0–1)
WTA Tier I (1–0)
WTA Tier II (1–1)
Finals by surface
Hard (2–2)
Grass (0–1)
Finals by venue
Outdoors (2–2)
Indoors (0–1)
OutcomeNo.DateChampionshipSurfaceOpponent in the finalScore in the final
Winner 24. April 4, 2004 Miami, US (3) Hard Russia Elena Dementieva 6–1, 6–1
Runner-up 8. June 21, 2004 Wimbledon, London, UK (1) Grass Russia Maria Sharapova 1–6, 4–6
Runner-up 9. July 19, 2004 Los Angeles, US (1) Hard United States Lindsay Davenport 1–6, 3–6
Winner 25. September 26, 2004 Beijing, China (1) Hard Russia Svetlana Kuznetsova 4–6, 7–5, 6–4
Runner-up 10. November 8, 2004 WTA Tour Championships, Los Angeles, US (2) Hard (i) Russia Maria Sharapova 6–4, 2–6, 4–6

Earnings

# Event Prize money Year-to-date
1 NASDAQ-100 Open $400,000 $400,000
2 Bausch & Lomb Championships $12,700 $412,700
3 Family Circle Cup $12,775 $425,775
4 Internazionali BNL d'Italia $48,600 $474,375
5 French Open $113,677 $588,052
6 Wimbledon Championships $444,502 $1,032,554
7 JPMorgan Chase Open $47,800 $1,080,054
8 Acura Classic $25,600 $1,105,654
9 US Open $118,544 $1,224,198
10 China Open $93,000 $1,317,198
11 Generali Ladies Linz $7,600 $1,324,798
12 WTA Tour Championships $500,000 $1,824,798
Bonus Pool $427,000 $2,251,798
$2,251,798

Figures in United States dollars (USD) unless noted.

See also

References

  1. "Serena Williams Seeded No. 1 in Return". New York Times. 23 March 2004.
  2. "Serena Williams Returns to Action, Dressed for Victory". New York Times. 27 March 2004.
  3. "At His Coming-Out Party, 17-Year-Old Spaniard Shows Federer the Exit". New York Times. 29 March 2004.
  4. "Williams Plays Like Wonder Woman". New York Times. 30 March 2004.
  5. "Fast, Slim and in Control, Calleri Overwhelms Agassi". New York Times. 31 March 2004.
  6. "One Shot Is What Roddick Needed". New York Times. 2 April 2004.
  7. "Serena Williams routs Dementieva in Key Biscayne final". USA Today. 3 April 2004.
  8. "Serena punishes Pierce". BBC. 8 April 2004.
  9. "Serena, Henin-Hardenne advance to quarters at Bausch". Associated Press. 9 April 2004. Archived from the original on 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  10. "Serena Williams tweaks knee, loses to Petrova". USA Today. 9 April 2004.
  11. "Sports Briefing". NY Times. 14 April 2004.
  12. "Capriati Loses, Serena Withdraws". LA Times. 16 April 2004.
  13. "Serena looks less than super in win". AP. 13 May 2004.
  14. "Serena Williams Wins". NY Times. 14 May 2004.
  15. "Williams to face Capriati". NY Times. 16 May 2004.
  16. "Capriati beats Serena Williams in Italian Open semis". USA Today. 15 May 2004.
  17. "Williams Advances With Style". NY Times. 26 May 2004.
  18. "Serena battles hard to top Russian teen". LA Times. 28 May 2004.
  19. "Serena wins easily; Capriati struggles". ESPN. 29 May 2004.
  20. "Ex-Champs Williams and Capriati to Meet in Quarterfinals". NY Times. 31 May 2004.
  21. "Capriati upsets Serena". BBC. 1 June 2004.
  22. "Ferreira, in 55th Major, Becomes Game's Iron Man". NY Times. 23 June 2004.
  23. "The People Support Henman, and Vice Versa". NY Times. 27 June 2004.
  24. "Teenagers Are Winnowed to One at Wimbledon". NY Times. 29 June 2004.
  25. "Williams' will to win sees off Capriati". Guardian. 1 July 2004.
  26. "Serena wins Mauresmo battle". BBC. 1 July 2004.
  27. "Sharapova topples Williams to win Wimbledon crown". USA Today. 3 July 2004.
  28. "Serena warms up again but avoids boilover". SMH. 23 July 2004.
  29. "Bad Wrist Forces Venus Williams Out". NY Times. 25 July 2004.
  30. "Another Williams Falls to Davenport". NY Times. 26 July 2004.
  31. [SWwVWw,1 "Serena Williams Exits". NY Times. 31 July 2004.
  32. "Knee pain negates her promise to play". ESPN. 11 August 2004.
  33. "A 53-Minute Dress Rehearsal for Serena Williams". NY Times. 31 August 2004.
  34. "For Serena Williams, Less Is Definitely More". NY Times. 2 September 2004.
  35. "As if in a Hurry, Roddick Makes Open Look Easy". NY Times. 4 September 2004.
  36. "Serena win not quite what doctors ordered". Guardian. 6 September 2004.
  37. "Capriati sends Serena packing at U.S. Open". USA Today. 8 September 2004.
  38. "Officials apologize to Serena for bad call – U.S. Open, Aug. 30-Sept. 12- NBC Sports". MSNBC. September 9, 2004. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  39. "Serena Williams Defeats Safina to Enter Quarterfinals". China.org. 23 September 2004.
  40. "Petrova Retires in China". Associated Press. 25 September 2004.
  41. "Serena and Kuznetsova meet in China Open final". St. Petersburg Times. 26 September 2004.
  42. "Serena wins China Open". Rediff. 27 September 2004.
  43. "Unwell Serena loses to Russia's Jidkova". NDTV. 28 October 2004.
  44. "SERENA WEARS OUT MYSKINA IN VICTORY.". Free Library. 11 November 2004.
  45. "After Davenport's Elimination, Her Top Ranking Is in Danger". NY Times. 14 November 2004.
  46. "Serena ousts Mauresmo in WTA Championships". Philly. 15 November 2004.
  47. "Sharapova Beats Injured Serena for WTA Championships Title". TennisX. 16 November 2004.

External links