1977 Australian Open (December) – Women's singles

Evonne Goolagong defeated Helen Gourlay in the final, 6–3, 6–0 to win the December edition of the women's singles tennis tournament at the 1977 Australian Open.[1] It was her sixth major singles title. As of 2023, this was the last women's singles final to be contested by two Australians.[citation needed]

Women's singles
1977 Australian Open (December)
Final
ChampionAustralia Evonne Goolagong
Runner-upAustralia Helen Gourlay
Score6–3, 6–0
Details
Draw32 (4 Q )
Seeds8
Events
Singles men women
Doubles men women
← 1977 · Australian Open (December) · 1978 →

Kerry Reid was the defending champion, but was defeated in the semifinals by Goolagong.[1]

Both finalists were entered in the championships as Mrs. R. Cawley, as they were married to Roger Cawley and Richard Cawley (who were not related) respectively (at the time, married female players were required to be identified using their husband's name). The umpire became confused during the early stages of the final and simply referred to the players as Evonne or Helen to avoid confusion.[2]

The second of the two Australian Opens held in 1977 started on 19 December and ended on 31 December. For the first Australian Open held in 1977, see: 1977 Australian Open (January).

Seeds

edit

The seeded players are listed below. Evonne Goolagong is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.

  1.   Evonne Goolagong (champion)
  2.   Sue Barker (semifinal)
  3.   Kerry Reid (semifinal)
  4.   Mona Guerrant (Quarterfinal)
  5.   Helen Gourlay (final)
  6.   Helena Anliot (first round)
  7.   Kathleen Harter (Quarterfinal)
  8.   Rayni Fox (Quarterfinal)

Qualifying

edit

Draw

edit

Finals

edit
Semifinals Final
          
1   Evonne Goolagong 6 6  
3   Kerry Reid 1 3  
1   Evonne Goolagong 6 6  
5   Helen Gourlay 3 0  
5   Helen Gourlay 7 6  
2   Sue Barker 5 4  

Top half

edit
First round Second round Quarterfinals Semifinals
1   E Goolagong 6 6  
    D Evers 1 3   1   E Goolagong 6 6  
    M Sawyer 3 4       N Sato 4 0  
    N Sato 6 6   1   E Goolagong 6 6  
    K Hallam 5 6 7 Q   J Dalton 3 1  
    P Elliott 7 4 5     K Hallam 0 3  
Q   J Dalton 7 6   Q   J Dalton 6 6  
6   H Anliot 6 2   1   E Goolagong 6 6  
3   K Reid 6 6   3   K Reid 1 3  
Q   K Pratt 4 2   3   K Reid 6 6  
LL   K Gulley 6 0 3     L Harrison 0 0  
    L Harrison 4 6 6 3   K Reid 6 7  
    C Draper 2 2   7   K Harter 1 5  
    J Wilton 6 6       J Wilton 2 3  
    S Saliba 1 5   7   K Harter 6 6  
7   K Harter 6 7  

Bottom half

edit
First round Second round Quarterfinals Semifinals
5   H Gourlay 6 6  
    W Paish 1 3   5   H Gourlay 6 6  
    E Little 6 6       E Little 0 1  
    K Ruddell 2 3   5   H Gourlay 3 6 6
    M Pekovitch 4 3   4   M Guerrant 6 1 4
    A Tobin 6 6       A Tobin 6 2  
Q   S Leo 2 1   4   M Guerrant 7 6  
4   M Guerrant 6 6   5   H Gourlay 7 6  
8   R Fox 6 6   2   S Barker 5 4  
    C Matison 2 1   8   R Fox 7 6 7
    P Bostrom 6 4 9     P Bostrom 5 7 5
    P Whytcross 3 6 7 8   R Fox 3 0  
Q   S Pinchbeck 5 1   2   S Barker 6 6  
    N Gregory 7 6       N Gregory 5 3  
    C Drury 3 2   2   S Barker 7 6  
2   S Barker 6 6  

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Barrett, John; Flink, Steve; Tingay, Lance (1978). "Marlboro Australian Open Championships (Dec 1977)". World of Tennis 1978: A BP Yearbook (10th Year ed.). London: Macdonald and Jane's. pp. 78–82. ISBN 978-0-354-09039-1. ISSN 0305-6325. OCLC 237184605. OL 15012356M.
  2. ^ https://2017.ausopen.com/en_AU/event_guide/history/draws/9977_LS_Q.html[dead link]
edit
Preceded by Grand Slam women's singles Succeeded by