2016 US Open – Women's Singles No. 1 ranking at the start of the tournament. Former world No. 1 and 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic played the final match of her professional career in the first round, when she lost to Denisa Allertová. She would announce her retirement prior to the 2017 season because of ongoing injuries. 2016 US Open – Women's Singles Flavia Pennetta was the defending champion, but retired from professional tennis at the end of the 2015 season. Angelique Kerber won the title, defeating Karolína Plíšková in the final, 6–3, 4–6, 6–4. It was Kerber's second Grand Slam singles title. She became
2008 French Open – Women's Singles the final. Maria Sharapova (the incumbent World No. 1 ahead of the tournament following Henin's retirement), Jelena Janković and Svetlana Kuznetsova were also in contention for the No. 1 ranking at the start of the tournament. Safina had come from a set and match point down in both her fourth round and quarterfinal matches against Sharapova and Elena Dementieva, respectively. This was also the first Grand Slam main draw appearance of future world No. 2 and two-time Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitová. 2008 French Open – Women's Singles Justine Henin was the three-time defending champion, but she retired from the