1987 Virginia Slims World Championship Series

The 1987 Virginia Slims World Championship Series was the 15th season of the tennis circuit since the foundation of the Women's Tennis Association. It commenced in January 1987, and concluded in December 1987 after events.

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.

Schedule The table below shows the 1987 Virginia Slims World Championship Series schedule.

Key Grand Slam tournamentsYear-end championships Category 4 events Category 3 events Team events

December 1986 WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists1 Dec Argentinian Open Buenos Aires, Argentina Category 1 Clay – $50,000 – 56S/28D Gabriela Sabatini 6–1, 6–1 Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Lori McNeil Mariana Pérez Roldán Patricia Tarabini Laura Golarsa Bettina Fulco Nicole Muns-Jagerman Lori McNeil Mercedes Paz 6–1, 2–6, 6–1 Nicole Muns-Jagerman Manon Bollegraf8 Dec Brazilian Open São Paulo, Brazil Category 1 Clay – $50,000 – 56S/24D Singles – Doubles Vicki Nelson-Dunbar 6–2, 7–6(7–1) Jenny Klitch Kathrin Keil Amy Schwartz Nicole Muns-Jagerman Adriana Villagrán Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Caterina Nozzoli Neige Dias Patricia Medrado 6–4, 4–6, 7–6(8–6) Laura Gildemeister Petra Huber29 Dec Jason 2000 Classic Brisbane, AustraliaCategory 2 Grass – $100,000 – 56S/32D Hana Mandlíková6–2, 2–6, 6–4 Pam Shriver Helena Suková Betsy Nagelsen Helen Kelesi Rosalyn Fairbank Elizabeth Smylie Eva Pfaff Hana Mandlíková Wendy Turnbull6–4, 6–2 Betsy Nagelsen Elizabeth Smylie

January WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists5 Jan Family Circle NSW Open Sydney, Australia Category 3 Grass – $150,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Zina Garrison6–2, 6–4 Pam Shriver Wendy Turnbull Manuela Maleeva Lori McNeil Helena Suková Etsuko Inoue Catarina Lindqvist Betsy Nagelsen Elizabeth Smylie6–7(5–7), 7–5, 6–1 Jenny Byrne Janine Tremelling12 Jan19 Jan Australian Open Melbourne, AustraliaGrand Slam Grass – $670,101 – 112S/32D/32X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Hana Mandlíková 7–5, 7–6(7–1) Martina Navratilova Catarina Lindqvist Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Zina Garrison Pam Shriver Elizabeth Smylie Lori McNeil Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–1, 6–0  Zina Garrison Sherwood Stewart 3–6, 7–6(7–5), 6–3 Andrew Castle Anne Hobbs26 Jan Bridgestone Doubles ChampionshipsTokyo, JapanCarpet (i) – $175,000 – 8DDoubles  Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková6–1, 7–6(7–5) Elise Burgin Pam Shriver Fernández / White Collins / Walsh Herr / Moulton Byrne / Thompson Nagelsen / Smylie Reynolds / Smith Nutri-Metics OpenAuckland, New Zealand Category 1 Grass – $50,000 – 56S/24D Singles – Doubles Gretchen Magers6–2, 6–3 Terry Phelps Elizabeth Minter Kathrin Keil Anna-Maria Fernandez Michelle Jaggard Ann Devries Nicole Provis Anna-Maria Fernandez Julie Richardson4–6, 6–4, 6–2 Gretchen Magers Elizabeth Minter

February WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists2 Feb Virginia Slims of KansasWichita, United States Category 1+ Carpet (i) – $75,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Barbara Potter 7–6(8–6), 7–6(7–5) Larisa Savchenko Emmanuelle Derly Wendy Prausa Jana Novotná Natalia Bykova Natasha Zvereva Sylvia Hanika Svetlana Parkhomenko Larisa Savchenko6–2, 6–4 Barbara Potter Wendy Prausa9 Feb Virginia Slims of CaliforniaSan Francisco, United States Category 3 Hard (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Zina Garrison7–5, 4–6, 6–3 Sylvia Hanika Hana Mandlíková Kathy Rinaldi Manuela Maleeva Wendy White Wendy Turnbull Stephanie Rehe Hana Mandlíková Wendy Turnbull6–4, 7–6(7–4) Zina Garrison Gabriela SabatiniVirginia Slims of OklahomaOklahoma City, United States Category 1+ Carpet (i) – $75,000 – 32S/16DSingles – Doubles Elizabeth Smylie4–6, 6–3, 7–5 Lori McNeil Larisa Savchenko Catarina Lindqvist Hu Na Natalia Bykova Camille Benjamin Anne Minter Svetlana Parkhomenko Larisa Savchenko6–4, 6–4 Lori McNeil Kim Sands16 Feb Virginia Slims of FloridaBoca Raton, United States Category 4 Hard – $250,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Steffi Graf6–2, 6–3 Helena Suková Gabriela Sabatini Pam Shriver Kate Gompert Bettina Bunge Gigi Fernández Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Svetlana Parkhomenko Larisa Savchenko 6–0, 3–6, 6–2 Chris Evert Pam Shriver23 Feb2 Mar Lipton International Players ChampionshipsKey Biscayne, United States Category 4 Hard – $750,000 – 128S/64D Singles – Doubles Steffi Graf6–1, 6–2 Chris Evert Martina Navratilova Hana Mandlíková Nathalie Tauziat Lisa Bonder Helena Suková Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver6–3, 7–6(8–6) Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková

March

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists9 Mar Virginia Slims of ArizonaPhoenix, United States Category 1+ Hard (i) – $75,000 – 56S/28D Anne White6–1, 6–2 Dianne Balestrat Sharon Walsh-Pete Maria Lindström Catherine Suire Ann Henricksson Christiane Jolissaint Penny Barg Penny Barg Beth Herr2–6, 6–2, 7–6(7–2) Mary Lou Piatek Anne White16 Mar Virginia Slims of DallasDallas, United States Category 4 Carpet (i) – $250,000 – 32S/16D Chris Evert6–1, 6–3 Pam Shriver Zina Garrison Lori McNeil Stephanie Rehe Bettina Bunge Manuela Maleeva Wendy Turnbull Mary Lou Piatek Anne White7–5, 6–3 Elise Burgin Robin White23 Mar Virginia Slims of WashingtonWashington, United States Category 3 Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/16D Hana Mandlíková6–4, 6–2 Barbara Potter Helena Suková Zina Garrison Kathy Rinaldi Lori McNeil Ann Henricksson Sylvia Hanika Elise Burgin Pam Shriver6–1, 3–6, 6–4 Zina Garrison Lori McNeil30 Mar Wild DunesCharleston, United States Category 1+ Clay – $75,000 – 56S/24D Manuela Maleeva5–7, 6–2, 6–3 Raffaella Reggi Bettina Fulco Jana Novotná Halle Cioffi Sandra Cecchini Kate Gompert Wiltrud Probst Laura Gildemeister Tine Scheuer-Larsen 6–4, 6–4 Mercedes Paz Candy Reynolds US IndoorsPrinceton, United States Category 3 Carpet (i) – $150,000 – 32S/14D Helena Suková 6–0, 6–3 Lori McNeil Hana Mandlíková Gigi Fernández Sylvia Hanika Wendy Turnbull Grace Kim Catarina Lindqvist 6–1, 6–4

April

WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists6 Apr Family Circle CupHilton Head Island, United States Category 4 Clay – $300,000 – 56S/28D Steffi Graf6–2, 4–6, 6–3 Manuela Maleeva Gabriela Sabatini Chris Evert Helen Kelesi Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Zina Garrison Bettina Bunge Mercedes Paz Eva Pfaff 7–6(8–6), 7–5 Zina Garrison Lori McNeil13 Apr WITA ChampionshipsAmelia Island, United States Category 4 Clay – $275,000 – 56S/28D Singles – Doubles Steffi Graf6–3, 6–4 Hana Mandlíková Gabriela Sabatini Zina Garrison Manuela Maleeva Helen Kelesi Kathy Rinaldi Terry Phelps Steffi Graf Gabriela Sabatini 3–6, 6–3, 7–5 Hana Mandlíková Wendy Turnbull Suntory Japan Open Tennis ChampionshipsTokyo, Japan Category 1+ Hard – $75,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Katerina Maleeva6–2, 6–3 Barbara Gerken Etsuko Kaneshiro Betsy Nagelsen Melissa Gurney Kathy Jordan Kumiko Okamoto Beth Herr6–3, 7–5 20 Apr Virginia Slims of HoustonHouston, Texas, United States Category 3 Clay – $150,000 – 32S/16D Chris Evert3–6, 6–1, 7–6(7–4) Martina Navratilova Zina Garrison Hana Mandlíková Lori McNeil Raffaella Reggi Kate Gompert Gabriela Sabatini Kathy Jordan Martina Navratilova 6–2, 6–4 Zina Garrison Lori McNeil Taipei Women's ChampionshipsTaipei, Taiwan Category 1 Carpet (i) – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Anne Minter6–4, 6–1 Claudia Porwik Adriana Villagrán Heather Ludloff Cláudia Monteiro Ann Devries Caterina Nozzoli Laura Golarsa7–6(10–8), 5–7, 6–427 Apr Eckerd OpenTampa United States Category 3 Clay – $150,000 – 32S/16D Chris Evert6–3, 6–2 Kate Gompert Beverly Bowes-Hackney Kathy Rinaldi Laura Gildemeister Terry Phelps Ronni Reis Gisele Miró 6–4, 6–3 Singapore OpenSingapore Category 1 Hard – $50,000 – 32S/16D Singles – Doubles Anne Minter 6–4, 6–1 Barbara Gerken Emiko Okagawa Etsuko Kaneshiro Ann Devries Cammy MacGregor Annabel Croft Claudia Porwik Anna-Maria Fernandez Julie Richardson6–1, 6–4 Barbara Gerken Heather Ludloff

May WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists4 May Italian OpenRome, Italy Category 3 Clay – $150,000 – 56S/32DSingles – Doubles Steffi Graf7–5, 4–6, 6–0 Gabriela Sabatini Martina Navratilova Helena Suková Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Judith Polz Bettina Fulco Martina Navratilova Gabriela Sabatini6–4, 6–1 11 May Fila German OpenWest Berlin, West Germany Category 3 Clay – $150,000 – 56S/28D Steffi Graf6–2, 6–3 Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Sandra Cecchini Patricia Tarabini Nathalie Tauziat Louise Field Raffaella Reggi Nicole Provis Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková 6–1, 6–2 Catarina Lindqvist Tine Scheuer-Larsen18 May European OpenGeneva, SwitzerlandCategory 2 Clay – $100,000 – 56S/32D Singles – Doubles Chris Evert6–3, 4–6, 6–2 Manuela Maleeva Lori McNeil Raffaella Reggi Mary Joe Fernández Mariana Pérez Roldán Katerina Maleeva Iva Budařová Betsy Nagelsen Elizabeth Smylie 4–6, 6–4, 6–3 Laura Gildemeister Catherine Tanvier Grand Prix de StrasbourgStrasbourg, France Category 1+ Clay – $75,000 – 32S/15D Singles – Doubles Carling Bassett6–3, 6–4 Sandra Cecchini Kathleen Horvath Nathalie Tauziat Isabel Cueto Elise Burgin Virginia Ruzici Terry Phelps Jana Novotná Catherine Suire6–0, 6–2 Kathleen Horvath Marcella Mesker25 May1 Jun French OpenParis, FranceGrand Slam Clay – $1,325,000 – 128S/64D/64X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Steffi Graf 6–4, 4–6, 8–6 Martina Navratilova Chris Evert Gabriela Sabatini Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Raffaella Reggi Arantxa Sánchez Vicario Manuela Maleeva Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver 6–2, 6–1 Steffi Graf Gabriela Sabatini Pam Shriver Emilio Sánchez 6–3, 7–6(7–5) Lori McNeil Sherwood Stewart

June WeekTournamentChampionsRunners-upSemifinalistsQuarterfinalists8 Jun Dow Chemical ClassicBirmingham, Great Britain Category 2 Grass – $125,000 – 56S/32D Singles Pam Shriver4–6, 6–2, 6–2 Larisa Savchenko Etsuko Inoue Eva Pfaff Nathalie Tauziat Carling Bassett Elizabeth Smylie Rosalyn Fairbank 15 Jun Pilkington Glass Ladies ChampionshipsEastbourne, Great Britain Category 4 Grass – $200,000 – 64S/32D Singles – Doubles Helena Suková7–6(7–5), 6–3 Martina Navratilova Pam Shriver Chris Evert Isabelle Demongeot Gabriela Sabatini Rosalyn Fairbank Larisa Savchenko Svetlana Parkhomenko Larisa Savchenko 7–6(7–5), 4–6, 7–5 Rosalyn Fairbank Elizabeth Smylie22 Jun29 Jun Wimbledon ChampionshipsLondon, Great BritainGrand SlamGrass – $1,467,542 – 128S/64D/64X Singles – Doubles – Mixed doubles Martina Navratilova 7–5, 6–3 Steffi Graf Chris Evert Pam Shriver Dianne Balestrat Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková Gabriela Sabatini Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Helena Suková 7–5, 7–5 Betsy Nagelsen Elizabeth Smylie Jo Durie Jeremy Bates 7–6(12–10), 6–3 Nicole Provis Darren Cahill

July