Serena Williams's 2005 tennis season was hampered by injury and was the first time that she did not qualify for the Year-End Championships since 1999. Williams also failed to finish in the top 10 for the first time since 1998 despite winning a slam.

Year in detail Australian Open and early hard court season Australian Open Williams began her 2005 season at the Australian Open after missing the 2004 edition and winning the 2003 edition. Williams entered the event as the seventh seed. In her opening match she easily dispatch of Camille Pin, defeating the Frenchwoman with a double breadstick. She then faced Dally Randriantefy, Williams dominated her opponent dropping just three games including a bagel in the second in just 48 minutes. Williams hit 38 winners and only 18 unforced errors in the match. In the third round, Williams took on wildcard Sania Mirza, Williams closed out the first set with a breadstick and then won the second set with a single break lead in just 56 minutes. In the following match, she faced Nadia Petrova and won the first set easily with a breadstick. Petrova came back winning the second, but Williams eventually closed it out in the third set. In the final eight, she went against 2nd seed Amélie Mauresmo and dominated her injured opponent, who was hampered by an injured groin winning both sets with a drop of two games. In the semifinals, Williams took on Maria Sharapova. Sharapova dominated the first set breaking Williams twice. Sharapova then served for the match at the tenth game, but lost three straight games to lose the set. In the final set, Sharapova once again served for the match at the tenth game, however Williams saved three match points to break. Williams eventually broke for the match in the 14th game of the deciding set. In the final, Williams faced world no. 1 Lindsay Davenport, Davenport raced through the first four games in just 11 minutes. Davenport eventually won the set in the eight game. Williams then failed to convert a break point in the sixth game, but reeled in nine straight games to win the second and third sets. This is Williams seventh slam and second Australian Open. She is also riding with a 14 match winning streak at the event.

Open GDF Suez Following her Australian Open triumph, Williams played at the Open GDF Suez. After receiving a bye in the first round, she cruised pass local Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro in straight sets before withdrawing in her scheduled quarterfinal match against Dinara Safina because of stomach flu.

Dubai Duty Free Women's Open Williams then played at the Dubai Duty Free Women's Open and received a bye in the first round. Williams began her tournament against Elena Bovina. Williams slow start gave Bovina the chance to capture the first set with a loss of only a game. However Williams rallied to win 10 of the next 11 games to win the second set and take the first four games of the third. Bovina came back to get one of the breaks back in the sixth game just to see Williams close it out in the tenth game. Williams then faced Daniela Hantuchová in the final eight. Williams edged out Hantuchová in the first set, closing it out in the twelfth game. The second set was easier for Williams winning it in three. In the semifinals, Williams retired in her match against Jelena Janković with an arm injury after losing the first set in a bagel and down by a break in the second.

NASDAQ-100 Open Williams came into the NASDAQ-100 Open as the three-time defending champion. Williams began her quest for her fourth consecutive title at the event against Vera Dushevina, Williams won the match with a drop of only three game including a bagel in the second. Williams then took on Shahar Pe'er and won the match with a drop of three games in both set. In the fourth round, Williams faced Elena Likhovtseva and won the first with a break lead. However, Likhovtseva evened it out by dominating the second set with a breadstick. Williams then pegged her back to win the match with a break lead in the deciding set. Williams then took on older sister Venus for a spot in the last 4. Venus took the first set with ease, winning the first set with a breadstick. In the second set, Serena had two set points to push it to a decider but Venus saved both and won the set. This loss ended Serena's 21 match winning streak in the event.

Clay court season and French Open Bausch & Lomb Championships Williams began her clay court campaign at the Bausch & Lomb Championships. She received a bye in the first round and then cruised through victory against Dally Randriantefy in straight sets. In the third round, she took on Mary Pierce and squeezed through the first set winning it in a tie-break. The second set was tight as well, but Williams won the set with a single break lead. In the final eight, Williams faced Italian Silvia Farina Elia. The first set, the pair went toe-to-toe with Williams winning it in the twelfth game. However, the Italian came back winning the second in a tie-break. After the conclusion of the second set, Williams retired due to a sprained ankle.

Internazionali BNL d'Italia Williams then played at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia and received a bye in the first round. Williams was upset in the second round by Francesca Schiavone, Schiavone won the first set in a tie-break and then took the second set with a breadstick.

French Open Williams then withdrew from the French Open with a sprained left ankle.

Wimbledon Williams made her return at Wimbledon having reached the final in the previous three years. Williams began her campaign for a third Wimbledon against compatriot ranked 104 Angela Haynes. Williams led by a break but Haynes came back to force it to a tie-break, which went to a marathon with Haynes winning it in the 26th point. William broke in the third game, but Haynes broke back in the eight game. Williams won the next to games to push to a decider. The final set went on serve until Williams took the last four games beginning with the fifth. Williams then faced 124 ranked Mara Santangelo. Santangelo began the match winning the first four games and closed out the first set in the eight game. However, Williams came back winning the next two sets with ease. Williams then took on American Jill Craybas, Craybas broke in the second game, the pair then traded breaks until Craybas held in the ninth game to win the set. The second set then went to a tie-break which Craybas won, upsetting the two-time Wimbledon champion.

US Open and late hard court season Rogers Cup Williams then made her US Open preparation at the Rogers Cup in Toronto. Williams opened her tournament against Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro after receiving a bye in the first round. Cohen-Aloro broke in the first game but Williams won the next two to get it on serve. Cohen Aloro then took 6 of the last 7 games to win the set with a break of serve. Williams then came back winning the second set with a single break lead. In the final set, Williams broke in the first and third game and didn't look back closing it out in the eight game. Williams then withdrew prior to her match against Flavia Pennetta with a left knee pain.

US Open Williams then competed at the US Open. She began her campaign against Taiwan's Chan Yung-jan. Williams took the first set with a breadstick and then won the last four games of the second set from the sixth game. Williams then faced Catalina Castaño and dropped only four games with a straight sets victory dropping two games in each set. In the third round, Williams faced Francesca Schiavone and once again won easily winning both set with a single break lead. In the Round of 16, it was a Williams battle, as she took on sister Venus. The first set the sisters went toe-to-toe pushing it to a tie-break, which Venus won. Venus then carried the momentum winning the second set with ease to end her younger sisters US Open campaign.

China Open Williams played her final tournament of 2005 at the China Open but was upset by local 127th ranked Sun Tiantian. Sun won the first set with ease but was pushed by her higher ranked opponent into a tie-break, which the Chinese won.

All matches

Singles matches Tournament Match Round Opponent Rank Result Score Australian Open Melbourne, AustraliaGrand SlamHard, outdoor17–30 January 2005 344 1R Camille Pin #106 Win 6–1, 6–1 345 2R Dally Randriantefy #67 Win 6–3, 6–0 346 3R Sania Mirza #166 Win 6–1, 6–4 347 4R Nadia Petrova #13 Win 6–1, 3–6, 6–3 348 QF Amélie Mauresmo #2 Win 6–2, 6–2 349 SF Maria Sharapova #5 Win 2–6, 7–5, 8–6 350 F Lindsay Davenport #1 Win 2–6, 6–3, 6–0 Open GDF Suez Paris, France WTA Tier II Hard, indoors 7–13 February 2005 – 1R Bye 351 2R #94 Win 6–3, 6–2 – QF Dinara Safina #48 Withdrew N/A Dubai Duty Free Women's Open Dubai, United Arab Emirates WTA Tier II Hard 28 February - 6 March 2005 – 1R Bye 352 2R #15 Win 1–6, 6–1, 6–4 353 QF Daniela Hantuchová #22 Win 7–5, 6–3 354 SF Jelena Janković #28 Loss 0–6, 3–4 Ret NASDAQ-100 Open Key Biscayne, Miami, USA WTA Tier I Hard 21 March - 3 April 2005 – 1R Bye 355 2R #42 Win 6–3, 6–0 356 3R Shahar Pe'er #135 Win 6–3, 6–3 357 4R Elena Likhovtseva #17 Win 6–4, 1–6, 6–4 358 QF Venus Williams #9 Loss 1–6, 6–7(8–10) Bausch & Lomb Championships Amelia Island, USA WTA Tier II Clay, Green 4–10 April 2005 – 1R Bye 359 2R #45 Win 6–3, 6–1 360 3R Mary Pierce #27 Win 7–6(7–5), 6–4 361 QF Silvia Farina Elia #24 Loss 7–5, 6–7(8–10) Ret Internazionali BNL d'Italia Rome, Italy WTA Tier I Clay, Red 9–15 May 2005 – 1R Bye 362 2R #26 Loss 6–7(2–7), 1–6 Wimbledon London, United Kingdom Grand Slam Grass 20 June - 3 July 2005 363 1R Angela Haynes #104 Win 6–7(12–14), 6–4, 6–2 364 2R Mara Santangelo #124 Win 2–6, 6–3, 6–2 365 3R Jill Craybas #85 Loss 3–6, 6–7(4–7) Rogers Cup Toronto, Canada WTA Tier I Hard 15 – 21 August 2005 – 1R Bye 366 2R #92 Win 3–6, 6–4, 6–2 – 3R Flavia Pennetta #30 Withdrew N/A US Open New York City, United States Grand Slam Hard, outdoor 29 August - 11 September 2005 367 1R Chan Yung-jan #261 Win 6–1, 6–3 368 2R Catalina Castaño #69 Win 6–2, 6–2 369 3R Francesca Schiavone #26 Win 6–3, 6–4 370 4R Venus Williams #10 Loss 6–7(5–7), 2–6 China Open Beijing, China WTA Tier II Hard 19–25 September 2005 – 1R Bye 371 2R #127 Loss 2–6, 6–7(7–9)

Tournament schedule

Singles schedule Williams' 2005 singles tournament schedule is as follows: DateChampionshipLocationCategorySurfacePointsOutcome 17 January 2005 –30 January 2005 Australian Open Melbourne (AUS) Grand Slam Hard 700 Winner defeated Lindsay Davenport 2–6, 6–3, 6–0 7 February 2005 –13 February 2005 Open GDF Suez Paris (FRA) WTA Tier II Hard (i) 49 Third Round Withdrew before match against Dinara Safina 28 February 2005 –6 March 2005 Dubai Duty Free Women's Open Dubai (UAE) WTA Tier II Hard 88 Semifinals lost to Jelena Janković, 0–6, 3–4 Ret 21 March 2005 –3 April 2005 NASDAQ-100 Open Miami (USA) WTA Tier I Hard 87 Quarterfinals lost to Venus Williams 1–6, 6–7(8–10) 4 April 2005 –10 April 2005 Bausch & Lomb Championships Amelia Islands (USA) WTA Tier II Clay (green) 49 Quarterfinals lost to Silvia Farina Elia 7–5, 6–7(8–10) Ret 9 May 2005 –15 May 2005 Internazionali BNL d'Italia Rome (ITA) WTA Tier I Clay 1 Second Round lost to Francesca Schiavone 6–7(2–7), 1–6 20 June 2005 –3 July 2005 Wimbledon Championships London (GBR) Grand Slam Grass 62 Third Round lost to Jill Craybas, 3–6, 6–7(4–7) 15 August 2005 –21 August 2005 Rogers Cup Toronto (CAN) WTA Tier I Hard 42 Third Round Withdrew before match against Flavia Pennetta 29 August 2005 –11 September 2005 US Open New York (USA) Grand Slam Hard 96 Fourth Round lost to Venus Williams, 6–7(5–7), 2–6 19 September 2005 –25 September 2005 China Open Beijing (CHN) WTA Tier II Hard 1 Second Round lost to Sun Tiantian, 2–6, 6–7(7–9)Total year-end points

Yearly records

Head–to–head matchups Ordered by percentage of wins

Dally Randriantefy 2–0 Stéphanie Cohen-Aloro 2–0 Camille Pin 1–0 Nadia Petrova 1–0 Sania Mirza 1–0 Amélie Mauresmo 1–0 Mara Santangelo 1–0