# 2006 Maria Sharapova tennis season

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

## Yearly summary
### Australian Open series

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

### Indian Wells & Miami

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

### European clay court season

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

### Wimbledon

Sharapova was again seeded fourth at Wimbledon, where she reached the semi-finals for the third consecutive year. After winning her first three matches in straight sets, she was more sternly tested by Flavia Pennetta in the fourth round, but still pulled through in three sets.
In the final eight, she faced first-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist Elena Dementieva and won through in straight sets after a streaker briefly interrupted the match in the second set.
In the semi-finals, she lost to Amélie Mauresmo, who eventually captured the title. This marked the fifth time since her Wimbledon victory in 2004 in which she lost to the eventual champion at a Major, and also the fifth time in which she was defeated in the semi-finals of a Major tournament.

### US Open series

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

### Fall series

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

### WTA Tour Championships

Sharapova qualified for the year-end WTA Tour Championships for the third consecutive year, having captured five titles during the regular season. As the second seed, she was drawn in the Red Group along with Kim Clijsters, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Dementieva. Sharapova went through the round robin stage undefeated, and thus qualified for the semi-finals after finishing first in the group.
The semi-final saw her up against Justine Henin-Hardenne for the fourth time in the year. Sharapova was defeated in straight sets, thus bringing an end to her otherwise impressive 2006 season.

## All matches

This table chronicles all the matches of Sharapova in 2006, including walkovers (W/O) which the WTA does not count as wins. They are marked ND for non-decision or no decision.
Key :
| W | F | SF | QF | #R | RR | Q# | P# | DNQ | A | Z# | PO | G | S | B | NMS | NTI | P | NH |

### Singles matches

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

## Tournament schedule
### Singles Schedule

| Date | Championship | Location | Category | Surface | Prev. result | New result | Outcome |
| 16 January 2006– 29 January 2006 | Australian Open | Melbourne (AUS) | Grand Slam tournament | Hard | SF | SF | Lost in the semi-finals against Justine Henin-Hardenne |
| 6 March 2006– 19 March 2006 | Pacific Life Open | Indian Wells (USA) | Tier I | Hard | SF | W | Won in the final against Elena Dementieva |
| 20 March 2006– 2 April 2006 | NASDAQ-100 Open | Miami (USA) | Tier I | Hard | F | F | Lost in the final against Svetlana Kuznetsova |
| 28 May 2006– 11 June 2006 | French Open | Paris (FRA) | Grand Slam tournament | Clay | QF | 4R | Lost in the fourth round against Dinara Safina |
| 26 June 2006– 9 July 2006 | The Championships, Wimbledon | London (GBR) | Grand Slam tournament | Grass | SF | SF | Lost in the semi-finals against Amélie Mauresmo |
| 29 July 2006– 6 August 2006 | Acura Classic | San Diego (USA) | Tier I | Hard | DNP | W | Won in the final against Kim Clijsters |
| 28 August 2006– 10 September 2006 | US Open | New York (USA) | Grand Slam tournament | Hard | SF | W | Won in the final against Justine Henin-Hardenne |
| 16 October 2006– 22 October 2006 | Zurich Open | Zurich (SUI) | Tier I | Hard (i) | DNP | W | Won in the final against Daniela Hantuchová |
| 23 October 2006– 29 October 2006 | Generali Ladies Linz | Linz (AUT) | Tier II | Hard (i) | DNP | W | Won in the final against Nadia Petrova |
| 7 November 2006– 12 November 2006 | WTA Tour Championships | Madrid (ESP) | WTA Tour Championships | Hard | SF | SF | Lost in the semi-finals against Justine Henin-Hardenne |

## Yearly Records
### Head-to-head matchups

Ordered by number of wins
* Elena Dementieva 3–1
* Martina Hingis 2–1
* Daniela Hantuchova 2–0
* Shahar Peer 2–0
* Ashley Harkleroad 2–0
* Eleni Daniilidou 1–0
* Jelena Kostanic Tosic 1–0
* Ana Ivanovic 1–0
* Sandra Kloese 1–0
* Kim Clijsters 1–2
* Svetlana Kuznetsova 1–1
* Nadia Petrova 2–0
* Patty Schnyder 2–0
* Justine Henin 2–2
* Timea Bacsinszky 1–0
* Katarina Srebotnik 1–0
* Daniela Hantuchova 2–0
* Ekaterina Bychkova 1–0
* Marion Bartoli 1–0
* Dinara Safina 1–1
* Anastasia Rodionova 1–0
* Anna Chakvetadze 0–1

### Finals
#### Singles: 7 (5–2)

* Category
* Grand Slam (1–0)
* WTA Tier I (3–1)
* WTA Tier II (1–1)
* Titles by surface
* Hard (5–2)
* Titles by conditions
* Outdoors (3–2)
* Indoors (2–0)
| Outcome | No. | Date | Championship | Surface | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
| Runner-up | 3. | February 26, 2006 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Hard | Justine Henin-Hardenne | 5–7, 2–6 |
| Winner | 11. | March 19, 2006 | Indian Wells, USA (1) | Hard | Elena Dementieva | 6–1, 6–2 |
| Runner-up | 4. | April 1, 2006 | Miami, USA (2) | Hard | Svetlana Kuznetsova | 4–6, 3–6 |
| Winner | 12. | August 6, 2006 | San Diego, USA (1) | Hard | Kim Clijsters | 7–5, 7–5 |
| Winner | 13. | September 9, 2006 | New York City, USA (1) | Hard | Justine Henin-Hardenne | 4–6, 4–6 |
| Winner | 14. | October 22, 2006 | Zurich, Switzerland | Hard (i) | Daniela Hantuchová | 6–1, 4–6, 6–3 |
| Winner | 15. | October 29, 2006 | Linz, Austria | Hard (i) | Nadia Petrova | 7–5, 6–2 |