What Is 2006 French Open - Women's Singles

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2006 French Open – Women's Singles was won by Justine Henin-Hardenne, who defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final 6–4, 6–4. The tournament took place from May 28 to June 10, 2006, at Roland Garros in Paris. Henin-Hardenne claimed her fourth French Open title, remaining undefeated at the event when reaching the final.

Key Facts

Winner: Justine Henin-Hardenne defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova 6–4, 6–4 in the final
Tournament dates: May 28 – June 10, 2006
Location: Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France
Henin-Hardenne won her 4th French Open title (previously won in 2003, 2005, 2006)
Seeds eliminated early: Kim Clijsters (2nd) lost in the second round
Only seeded player to reach the semifinals besides Henin and Kuznetsova was Nadia Petrova (11th seed)
Henin dropped only one set en route to the title, to Anna Chakvetadze in the fourth round

Overview

The 2006 French Open – Women's Singles was a pivotal clay-court tennis tournament held as part of the Grand Slam series. Played at the iconic Roland Garros stadium in Paris, it featured a 128-player draw with 32 seeded players and followed a best-of-three-sets format throughout.

This edition is particularly remembered for Justine Henin-Hardenne’s dominant performance on her favored surface. She claimed her fourth French Open title without dropping a set in the final, defeating Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets.

Winner: Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium won the title by defeating Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia 6–4, 6–4 in the championship match on June 10, 2006.
Tournament Duration: The event ran from May 28 to June 10, 2006, with two weeks of intense clay-court competition under cool Parisian spring conditions.
Surface: All matches were played on outdoor red clay courts, known for slower ball speed and higher bounce, favoring baseline players with heavy topspin.
Seeding Upsets: Second seed Kim Clijsters was surprisingly eliminated in the second round by Martina Suchá, marking one of the earliest exits for a top favorite.
Henin’s Dominance: Henin-Hardenne did not lose a single set in the final three rounds, defeating Nadia Petrova, Elena Dementieva, and Kuznetsova without conceding a set.

Match Progression and Key Rounds

The tournament featured dramatic comebacks, unexpected exits, and the reemergence of Henin-Hardenne as the premier clay-courter in women’s tennis. Her path to the title included victories over several top-10 players, reinforcing her status as the queen of Roland Garros at the time.

First Round: Several seeded players advanced easily, though No. 2 Kim Clijsters fell to Martina Suchá 6–3, 6–4, a major early upset.
Fourth Round: Henin-Hardenne dropped her only set of the tournament to Anna Chakvetadze, winning 6–0, 4–6, 6–1 in a physically demanding match.
Semifinal: Henin defeated Elena Dementieva 6–0, 6–3, showcasing her aggressive one-handed backhand and superior court positioning.
Kuznetsova’s Run: Svetlana Kuznetsova reached her second Grand Slam final, defeating No. 4 seed Maria Sharapova in the fourth round 6–3, 7–5.
Final Match: Played on June 10, 2006, Henin won 6–4, 6–4, securing her 20th career title and third Grand Slam of her career.
Unforced Errors: Kuznetsova committed 32 unforced errors in the final, compared to Henin’s 16, highlighting the Belgian’s superior consistency.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2006 French Open Women’s Singles finalists and past champions reveals key performance trends and historical context.

Player	Age in 2006	Previous RG Titles	Sets Lost in 2006 Tournament	Winning Percentage on Clay (2006)
Justine Henin-Hardenne	23	2 (2003, 2005)	1 (to Chakvetadze)	89% (24–3)
Svetlana Kuznetsova	21	0	3	78% (18–5)
Maria Sharapova	19	0	2 (lost to Kuznetsova)	67% (12–6)
Kim Clijsters	23	0	1 (lost in R2)	70% (14–6)
Amélie Mauresmo	27	0	2 (lost in QF)	75% (20–7)

The table illustrates Henin-Hardenne’s efficiency and dominance on clay compared to her peers. Despite Kuznetsova’s strong run, her higher error count and lack of previous final experience at Roland Garros proved decisive. Henin’s ability to conserve energy by losing only one set before the final underscored her tactical brilliance and fitness.

Why It Matters

The 2006 French Open Women’s Singles had lasting implications for the WTA Tour and the perception of clay-court specialists. Henin-Hardenne’s victory solidified her legacy and influenced training approaches for future generations.

Legacy of Henin: This victory marked her third French Open title in four years, establishing her as one of the greatest clay-court players of the 2000s.
Clay-Court Mastery: Henin won 96% of her matches on clay from 2005 to 2007, a testament to her technical and mental superiority on the surface.
Impact on Kuznetsova: Despite the loss, Kuznetsova’s run boosted her confidence, leading to a US Open title later that year.
Belgian Tennis Boom: Alongside Kim Clijsters, Henin helped elevate Belgian women’s tennis to global prominence in the early 2000s.
Grand Slam Trends: The tournament highlighted the growing dominance of European and Russian players on clay, shifting power dynamics in women’s tennis.
Historical Benchmark: Henin remains one of only five women to win four or more French Open singles titles, joining legends like Evert, Graf, and Seles.

In summary, the 2006 French Open Women’s Singles was a defining moment in Justine Henin-Hardenne’s career and a showcase of elite clay-court tennis. Her performance remains a benchmark for consistency, mental toughness, and technical excellence on red clay.