1986 Virginia Slims World Championship Series

The 1986 Virginia Slims World Championship Series was the 14th season since the foundation of the Women's Tennis Association. It commenced on March 24, 1986, and concluded in December, 1986 after 41 events. The season was abbreviated in order to return the tour to a calendar year basis.

The Virginia Slims World Championship Series was the elite tour for professional women's tennis organised by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). It was held in place of the WTA Tour from 1983 until 1987 and featured tournaments that had previously been part of the Toyota Series and the Avon Series. It included the four Grand Slam tournaments and a series of other events. ITF tournaments were not part of the tour, although they awarded points for the WTA World Ranking. No Australian Open was held during 1986 due to the tournament start date being moved from November to January.

Schedule The table below shows the 1986 Virginia Slims World Championship Series schedule.

March WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists24 Mar Virginia Slims of Arizona Phoenix, United StatesHard (i) – $75,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles  Beth Herr6–0, 3–6, 7–5 Ann HenrickssonClaudia Porwik Peanut Louie Camille Benjamin Hu Na Jennifer Mundel Tina Mochizuki Susan Mascarin Betsy Nagelsen 6–4, 5–7, 6–4 Alycia MoultonLinda GatesBridgestone Doubles Championships Nashville, United StatesCarpet (i) – $175,000 – 8D  Barbara Potter Pam Shriver6–4, 6–3 Kathy Jordan Elizabeth Smylie Mandlíková / Turnbull Parkhomenko / Savchenko Fairbank / Reynolds Piatek / White Burgin / Walsh Fernández / White31 Mar Tournament of Champions Marco Island, United StatesClay – $150,000 – 24S/16D  Chris Evert-Lloyd6–2, 6–4 Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Janine Tremelling Bonnie Gadusek Gabriela Sabatini Pat Medrado Andrea Temesvári Kathy Rinaldi Martina Navratilova Andrea Temesvári 7–5, 6–2 Elise Burgin Kathy Jordan

April WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists7 Apr Family Circle Cup Hilton Head Island, United StatesClay – $200,000 – 56S/32D Steffi Graf6–4, 7–5 Chris Evert-Lloyd Stephanie Rehe Hana Mandlíková Helena Suková Sabrina Goleš Manuela Maleeva Gabriela Sabatini Chris Evert-Lloyd Anne White 6–3, 6–3 Steffi Graf Catherine Tanvier14 Apr Sunkist WITA Championships Amelia Island, United StatesClay – $275,000 – 56S/32D Steffi Graf6–4, 5–7, 7–6(7–3) Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Kathy Rinaldi Gabriela Sabatini Laura Gildemeister Helena Suková Manuela Maleeva Angelikí Kanellopoúlou Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková 6–2, 5–7, 7–6(9–7) Gabriela Sabatini Catherine Tanvier21 Apr Wild Dunes Charleston, United StatesClay – $75,000 – 32S/16D Elise Burgin6–1, 6–3 Tine Scheuer-Larsen Laura Gildemeister Catherine Tanvier Neige Dias Susan Mascarin Debbie Spence Lilian Drescher Sandra Cecchini Sabrina Goleš 4–6, 6–0, 6–3 Laura Gildemeister Marcela Skuherská27 Apr U.S. Clay Court Championships Indianapolis, United StatesClay – $275,000 – 56S/32D Steffi Graf2–6, 7–6(7–5), 6–4 Gabriela Sabatini Mercedes Paz Manuela Maleeva Terry Phelps Melissa Gurney Robin White Regina Maršíková Steffi Graf Gabriela Sabatini6–2, 6–0 Gigi Fernández Robin White

May WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists5 May Virginia Slims of Houston Houston, United StatesClay (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles  Chris Evert-Lloyd6–4, 2–6, 6–4 Kathy Rinaldi Pam Casale Laura Gildemeister Kate Gompert Wendy White Zina Garrison Wendy Turnbull Chris Evert-Lloyd Wendy Turnbull6–2, 6–4  Elise Burgin JoAnne Russell Barcelona Open Barcelona, SpainClay – $50,000 – 32S/16D  Petra Huber7–6(7–4), 6–0 Laura Garrone Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Pat Medrado  Nathalie Herreman Mercedes Paz Carina Karlsson Isabelle Demongeot Iva Budařová Catherine Tanvier6–2, 6–1  Nathalie Herreman Corrinne Vanier12 May German Open West Berlin, West GermanyClay – $150,000 – 56S/29D  Steffi Graf6–2, 6–3 Martina Navratilova Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Hana Mandlíková  Jo Durie Petra Huber  Bettina Bunge Andrea Temesvári Steffi Graf Helena Suková 7–5, 6–2 Martina Navratilova Andrea Temesvári19 May European Open Lugano, SwitzerlandClay – $100,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles  Raffaella Reggi5–7, 6–3, 7–6(8–6) Manuela Maleeva Sabrina Goleš Bettina Bunge  Angelikí Kanellopoúlou Helen Kelesi Terry Phelps Mary Joe Fernández Elise Burgin Betsy Nagelsen 6–2, 6–3  Jenny Byrne Janine Thompson26 May French Open Paris, FranceGrand Slam Clay – $1,150,000 – 128S/64D/64X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles  Chris Evert-Lloyd 2–6, 6–3, 6–3 Martina Navratilova Hana Mandlíková Helena Suková Kathy Rinaldi Mary Joe Fernández Steffi Graf Carling Bassett Martina Navratilova Andrea Temesvári 6–1, 6–2  Steffi Graf Gabriela Sabatini Kathy Jordan Ken Flach 3–6, 7–6(7–3), 6–3 Rosalyn Fairbank Mark Edmondson

June WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists9 Jun Edgbaston Cup Birmingham, Great BritainGrass – $125,000 – 56S/32D Singles  Pam Shriver6–2, 7–6(7–0) Manuela Maleeva Larisa Savchenko Kathy Rinaldi  Etsuko Inoue Ann Henricksson Alycia Moulton Molly Van Nostrand Elise Burgin Rosalyn Fairbank 6–2, 6–4  Elizabeth Smylie Wendy Turnbull16 Jun Pilkington Glass Championships Eastbourne, Great BritainGrass – $200,000 – 64S/32D  Martina Navratilova3–6, 6–3, 6–4 Helena Suková Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Robin White  Etsuko Inoue Zina Garrison  Larisa Savchenko Gabriela Sabatini  Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–2, 6–4  Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková23 Jun Wimbledon ChampionshipsLondon, Great BritainGrand SlamGrass – $1,306,690 – 128S/64Q/64D/64X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Martina Navratilova 7–6(7–1), 6–3 Hana Mandlíková Gabriela Sabatini Chris Evert-Lloyd Bettina Bunge Catarina Lindqvist Lori McNeil Helena Suková Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–1, 6–3 Hana Mandlíková Wendy Turnbull Kathy Jordan Ken Flach 6–3, 7–6(9–7) Martina Navratilova Heinz Günthardt

July WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists7 Jul Ellesse Grand Prix Perugia, ItalyClay – $75,000 – 32S/16D Nathalie Herreman6–2, 6–4 Csilla Bartos-Cserepy Sabrina Goleš Laura Garrone Isabel Cueto Ivanna Madruga-Osses Lorenza Jachia Bettina Fulco Carin Bakkum Nicole Muns-Jagerman6–4, 6–4 Csilla Bartos-Cserepy Amy Holton14 Jul Virginia Slims of Newport Newport, United StatesGrass – $150,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Pam Shriver6–4, 6–2 Lori McNeil Cammy Macgregor Anne White Cláudia Monteiro Wendy White Adriana Villagrán Terry Holladay Terry Holladay Heather Ludloff6–1, 6–7(4–7), 6–3  Cammy MacGregor Gretchen Magers Elektra Cup Bregenz, AustriaClay – $50,000 – 32S/16D/32Q Sandra Cecchini6–4, 6–0 Mariana Pérez Roldán Patricia Tarabini Tine Scheuer-Larsen Isabel Cueto Barbara Paulus Olga Votavová Gabriela Dinu Petra Huber Petra Keppeler6–2, 6–4  Sabrina Goleš Tine Scheuer-Larsen 21 Jul Federation Cup Prague, CzechoslovakiaTeam eventClay 2–1 North Face Open Berkeley Berkeley, United StatesHard – $50,000 – 32S/16D Melissa Gurney6–1, 6–3 Barbara Gerken Beverly Bowes-Hackney Elly Hakami Monica Reinach Monique Javer Kris Kinney Camille Benjamin Beth Herr Alycia Moulton6–1, 6–2  Amy Holton Elna Reinach28 Jul Virginia Slims of San Diego San Diego, United StatesHard – $75,000 – 32S/16D Melissa Gurney6–2, 6–4 Stephanie Rehe Kate Gompert Caroline Kuhlman Kathy Jordan Betsy Nagelsen Dinky Van Rensburg Debbie Spence Beth Herr Alycia Moulton5–7, 6–2, 6–4  Elise Burgin Rosalyn Fairbank

August WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists4 Aug Player's Canadian Open Montreal, CanadaHard – $250,000 – 56S/32D  Helena Suková6–2, 7–5 Pam Shriver Rosalyn Fairbank Zina Garrison  Raffaella Reggi Marianne Werdel  Catarina Lindqvist Kathy Jordan Zina Garrison Gabriela Sabatini 7–6(7–2), 5–7, 6–4  Pam Shriver Helena Suková11 Aug Virginia Slims of Los Angeles Manhattan Beach, United StatesHard – $250,000 – 56S/32D  Martina Navratilova7–6(7–5), 6–3 Chris Evert-Lloyd Helena Suková Pam Shriver  Zina Garrison Claudia Kohde-Kilsch  Gabriela Sabatini Manuela Maleeva Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–4, 6–3  Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková18 Aug United Jersey Bank Classic Mahwah, United StatesHard – $150,000 – 56S/32D  Steffi Graf7–5, 6–1 Molly Van Nostrand Jo Durie Monica Reinach  Isabelle Demongeot Sara Gomer  Regina Maršíková Helena Suková Betsy Nagelsen Elizabeth Smylie 7–6(7–4), 6–3  Steffi Graf Helena Suková25 Aug US Open New York City, United StatesGrand Slam Hard – $1,400,000 – 128S/64Q/64D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles  Martina Navratilova 6–3, 6–2 Helena Suková Steffi Graf Chris Evert-Lloyd Pam Shriver Bonnie Gadusek Wendy Turnbull Manuela Maleeva Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 Hana Mandlíková Wendy Turnbull Raffaella Reggi Sergio Casal 6–4, 6–4 Martina Navratilova Peter Fleming

September WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists8 Sep Pan Pacific Open Tokyo, Japan Carpet (i) – $250,000 – 28S/16D  Steffi Graf6–4, 6–2 Manuela Maleeva Catherine Tanvier Bettina Bunge  Wendy White Katerina Maleeva Robin White Melissa Gurney Bettina Bunge Steffi Graf 6–1, 6–7(4–7), 6–2  Katerina Maleeva Manuela Maleeva15 Sep Eckerd Open Tampa United StatesHard – $150,000 – 32S/16D Lori McNeil2–6, 7–5, 6–2 Zina Garrison Terry Phelps Michelle Torres Elise Burgin Mary Joe Fernández Marianne Werdel Kate Gompert Elise Burgin Rosalyn Fairbank7–5, 6–2 Gigi Fernández Kim Sands Athens Trophy Athens, GreeceClay – $75,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Sylvia Hanika 7–5, 6–1 Angelikí Kanellopoúlou Laura Garrone Mariana Pérez Roldán Isabel Cueto Judith Polz Lilian Drescher Federica Bonsignori Isabel Cueto Arantxa Sánchez Vicario4–6, 6–2, 6–4 Silke Meier Wiltrud Probst22 Sep Virginia Slims of Tulsa Tulsa, United States Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16D  Lori McNeil6–0, 6–1 Beth Herr Dinky Van Rensburg Mary Lou Piatek Tina Mochizuki Peanut Louie-Harper Wendy White Janine Tremelling Camille Benjamin Dinky Van Rensburg 7–6(7–4), 7–5 Svetlana Parkhomenko Larisa Savchenko29 Sep Virginia Slims of New Orleans New Orleans, United StatesCarpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Martina Navratilova6–1, 4–6, 6–2 Pam Shriver Zina Garrison Gabriela Sabatini Terry Phelps Wendy Turnbull Laura Gildemeister Kate Gompert Candy Reynolds Anne Smith 6–3, 3–6, 6–3 Svetlana Parkhomenko Larisa Savchenko Hewlett-Packard Trophy Hilversum, Netherlands Carpet (i) – $75,000 – 32S/16D Helena Suková 6–2, 7–5 Catherine Tanvier Raffaella Reggi Sylvia Hanika Nathalie Herreman Christiane Jolissaint Nicole Muns-Jagerman Nathalie Tauziat Kathy Jordan Helena Suková 6–3, 3–6, 6–4  Tine Scheuer-Larsen Catherine Tanvier

October