It was Venus' record fourth consecutive runner-up finish at a major, losing every final to Serena.

With Lindsay Davenport's defeat in the fourth round, a first-time Australian Open champion was guaranteed.

This marked the final Australian Open appearance of four-time champion Monica Seles; she lost to Klára Koukalová in the second round.

1's: five-time major champion Maria Sharapova and Jelena Janković, who lost to Klára Koukalová and Amanda Coetzer in the first and second rounds respectively.

It was also the major main draw debut of future US Open champion Flavia Pennetta, who lost to Silvia Farina Elia in the first round.