Monica Niculescu

Monica Niculescu (born 25 September 1987) is a Romanian professional tennis player. She reached her career-high singles ranking of world No. 28 in February 2012, and has three singles titles to her credit on the WTA Tour since she turned pro in May 2002, the last one coming at the end of 2016, at the BGL Luxembourg Open. Although she was a steady top 30 player for several years and enjoyed relative success in singles, she is also a doubles specialist, where she achieved a career-high ranking of No. 11 in April 2018, after partnering with Grand Slam winner and Olympic medalist Andrea Sestini Hlaváčková at Indian Wells. Her biggest doubles result up to date is reaching her first Grand Slam doubles final at Wimbledon in 2017, alongside Chan Hao-ching. She was also runner-up at three Premier Mandatory events: the 2015 Wuhan Open, with fellow Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu, the 2016 Rogers Cup, with former world No. 1 Simona Halep, and the 2017 Cincinnati Open, partnering former world No. 1 in doubles, Hsieh Su-wei.

Monica Niculescu
Country (sports) Romania
ResidenceBucharest, Romania
Born (1987-09-25) 25 September 1987
Slatina, Romania
Height1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Turned proMay 2002
PlaysRight-handed
(two-handed backhand)
CoachCălin Stelian Ciorbagiu
Prize moneyUS$ 6,091,168
Singles
Career record515–353 (59.3%)
Career titles3
Highest rankingNo. 28 (27 February 2012)
Current rankingNo. 136 (16 March 2020)
Grand Slam Singles results
Australian Open3R (2011, 2012, 2014)
French Open2R (2014)
Wimbledon4R (2015)
US Open4R (2011)
Other tournaments
Olympic Games2R (2016)
Doubles
Career record446–260 (63.2%)
Career titles8
Highest rankingNo. 11 (2 April 2018)
Current rankingNo. 61 (16 March 2020)
Grand Slam Doubles results
Australian OpenSF (2018)
French OpenQF (2010)
WimbledonF (2017)
US Open3R (2009, 2010, 2016, 2017)
Team competitions
Fed CupSF (2019), 31–21 (59.6%)
Last updated on: 3 February 2020.

She is popular among spectators and other players alike for her unconventional style of play, employing an extreme grip as well as two hands for both her forehand and backhand. She is also best known for her trademark forehand-slice, her winning deamenour and her exceptional shot-making abilities at the net. Niculescu currently holds the Open Era record of highest first serve percentage in a year (91%-in 2011, tied with Sara Errani).[1]

Niculescu has defeated many top-ten opponents throughout her career, having 25 wins against top-ten opponents to date.[1]

Niculescu was born in Slatina, Romania, but moved to Bucharest when she was four. She is currently coached by Călin Stelian Ciorbagiu.[1]

Tennis career

2002–2005: Junior years

As a junior, Niculescu had the remarkable gift to win quite easily every final she reached. Thus, before reaching the age of 18, she won eleven ITF singles finals, losing only one set:

  • in Bucharest (Aug 2002), 6–1, 7–6 against Tsvetana Pironkova
  • in Cavtat (Apr 2003) 6–4, 6–1 against Darija Jurak
  • in Timişoara (Aug 2003) 6–2, 6–3 against Veronika Rizhik
  • in Albufeira (Feb 2004) 6–1, 3–6, 6–0 against Irina Kotkina
  • in Portimão (Feb 2004) 6–4, 7–6 against Nadja Pavić
  • in Bucharest (May 2004) 6–2, 6–2 against Simona Matei
  • in Iași (Aug 2004) 7–6, 6–0 against Raluca Olaru
  • in Cairo (Mar 2005) 6–4, 6–2 against Galina Fokina
  • in Ain Alsoukhna (Mar 2005) 6–3, 6–4 against Magdaléna Rybáriková
  • in Antalya (May 2005) 6–2, 6–2 against Ekaterina Dzehalevich
  • and in Coimbra (Aug 2005) 6–3, 6–1 against Aravane Rezaï.

She also won eight out of 14 ITF finals played in doubles as a junior, in most of them partnered by her older sister, Gabriela Niculescu. She played finals in girls' doubles in Roland Garros (2004, paired with Mădălina Gojnea) and twice in Wimbledon (2004 and 2005, paired with Marina Erakovic).

By the end of 2005, now already a senior player, she was No. 271 in the WTA rankings and No. 4 in Romania.

2006–2008: Constant progress as a senior, top 50

Niculescu made her WTA debut in 2006 Istanbul, where she won to then junior Sabine Lisicki but could not pass the third qualification round. In 2007, she continued to play many ITF tournaments, and she also played in qualifications in all four Grand Slam and three other WTA tournaments, but only in Dubai she reached the main draw. Still, winning several ITF tournaments and gathering many small points, she finished the year 2007 in top 200.

In 2008, she reached the quarterfinals in Tashkent, and in all four Grand Slam tournaments she reached the first round, with round two reached in Wimbledon. Gathering points constantly on WTA Tour, and also including some smaller successes in ITF tournaments, Niculescu was ranked 48th in the world, and second in Romania, at the end of 2008.

2009: Setback and out of top 100

Niculescu opened the season at the Brisbane International, where she lost to Tsvetana Pironkova in the first round in three sets.[1] She also lost in the first round of the Moorilla Hobart International to Alona Bondarenko. At the 2009 Australian Open, Niculescu beat Katie O'Brien in the first round, 6–4, 6–4, before losing to Sara Errani in the second, 2–6, 3–6. Alongside Sorana Cîrstea, Niculescu was the 14th seed in women's doubles; they lost to Nathalie Dechy and Mara Santangelo in the second round, 3–6, 3–6.

In the other three Grand Slam events, she did not go past round one of the main draw. Her best results of the year were quarterfinals in Tashkent and Strasbourg.

At the Open GDF Suez held in Paris, Niculescu defeated Timea Bacsinszky in the first round, before losing to eventual champion Amélie Mauresmo in the second. She then took part in the Dubai Tennis Championships. She beat Peng Shuai in the first round in three sets, 3–6, 7–5, 6–2, and then lost to world No. 3, Jelena Janković, 3–6, 2–6. Niculescu also partnered Elena Vesnina in doubles, and the two reached the quarterfinals in women's doubles; they lost to Anabel Medina Garrigues and Francesca Schiavone. Niculescu had two consecutive first-round losses, at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (fell to Anna-Lena Grönefeld) and Sony Ericsson Open in Miami (fell to Tamira Paszek). Partnering Alisa Kleybanova, she reached the quarterfinals at the BNP Paribas Open, where they lost to Maria Kirilenko and Flavia Pennetta. At the Sony Ericsson Open she partnered Kleybanova again, but they lost to second seeds Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual.

Niculescu withdrew from the Andalucía Tennis Experience and Barcelona Ladies Open due to a forearm injury.[1]

At the end of the year, she had slipped out of top 100.

2010: Comeback to top 100, first WTA semifinal
Monica Niculescu at the 2010 US Open

In 2010, Monica started the season in Auckland, coming from qualifying. In the first round, she lost to fifth seed Virginie Razzano, 5–7, 4–6. In doubles, she partnered Ioana Raluca Olaru, and they defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues and Carla Suárez Navarro, 7–5, 7–5. In the second round, they lost to Cara Black and Liezel Huber, 3–6, 2–6.

At the Australian Open, she lost in the first round to Jelena Janković, 4–6, 0–6. In doubles, she partnered Chan Yung-jan and defeated Monique Adamczak and Nicole Kriz, 6–3, 6–1. The pair defeated Alla Kudryavtseva and Ekaterina Makarova in the second round, 6–4, 6–4. In the third round, they lost to sixth seeds Lisa Raymond and Rennae Stubbs, 5–7, 3–6.

Niculescu then played an ITF tournament in Midland, but lost in the first round to Eleni Daniilidou 4–6, 2–6.

In Memphis, she lost in the first round qualifying to Valérie Tétreault. In doubles, she reached the semifinals along with Riza Zalameda, losing to Vania King and Michaëlla Krajicek, 1–6, 4–6.

At Indian Wells, she lost in qualifying to Tamarine Tanasugarn. In doubles, together with Michaëlla Krajicek, she lost in first round to Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Yan Zi, 6–7, 2–6.

In Marbella failed to qualify in singles, but in doubles she partnered Sophie Lefèvre. They defeated Kristina Barrois and Ioana Raluca Olaru in the first round, 6–3, 4–6, [10–7]. However, in the second round, they lost to Virginia Ruano Pascual and Meghann Shaughnessy, 2–6, 4–6.

She made again her best in Tashkent, where she reached her first WTA semifinals but lost to Elena Vesnina.

Although in the first half of the year she was struggling between ranks 100 and 150, by the middle of the year she reached top 100 again and ended the year as No. 82 in the world, and No. 2 in Romania.

2011: Consistent game, advance to top 30

At the Australian Open, Niculescu defeated Timea Bacsinszky in straight sets, 6–0, 6–3. Facing off against the 32nd seed, Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria, Niculescu cruised through the match winning 6–4, 6–1. In the third round, she lost to the 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, 0–6, 6–7.

Niculescu defeated Patricia Mayr-Achleitner in the first round and compatriot Alexandra Dulgheru in the second round, 6–3, 6–0, to advance to the third round of the US Open. In defeating Lucie Šafářová, 6–0, 6–1, Niculescu advanced to the fourth round of a Grand Slam singles competition for the first time in her career, where she lost 4–6, 3–6 to unseeded Angelique Kerber.

At the Tier-1 China Open, she shocked the world with a dominating victory over fourth seed Li Na, 6–4, 6–0 in the first round and advanced to the semifinals, where she lost to eventual runner-up, Andrea Petkovic.

She advanced to her first WTA final at the International tournament in Luxembourg, losing to Victoria Azarenka, 2–6, 2–6. En route to the final, she spent many hours on court with a 6–7, 7–5, 7–6 first-round victory over Karin Knapp, a second-round 7–6, 3–6, 6–1 win over Anabel Medina Garrigues, and a 7–5, 4–6, 6–3 win in three hours over 2010 finalist Anne Keothavong in the semifinals.

The end of the year found her as No. 30 in the world and No. 1 in Romania.

2012: Career high, small setback, still top 60

At the Australian Open, Niculescu made it to the third round by defeating Alizé Cornet and Pauline Parmentier, but she was defeated by then–world No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki, 2–6, 2–6.

She reached quarterfinals in Doha, where she lost to Samantha Stosur.

Her best result was again the final in Luxembourg, lost to Venus Williams.

Although in February Niculescu had reached rank No. 28, her career high so far, the inconsistent results during the season made her go down to world No. 58 by the end of the year.

2013: Steady position, first WTA title

Aside two WTA semifinals in Shenzhen and Monterrey, Niculescu won her first singles WTA title in Florianópolis.

She played in round one of all the Grand Slam events, but lost the games constantly.

Yet, winning enough games and points in WTA tournaments, she kept her top-60 position, finishing the season as No. 59 in the WTA rankings.

2014: Second WTA title, top 50 again

In all, Niculescu had an improving season, reaching round three at Australian Open, round two at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, quarterfinals in Shenzhen, Hobart and Florianópolis, and semifinals in Bucharest. The best result was her winning the tournament in Guangzhou, as her second WTA title.

Thus, she entered top 50 again by the end of the year.

2015: Tough matches, steady game

Much of early 2015 was particularly difficult for Niculescu, as she often faced difficult draws. For instance she drew world No. 1 Serena Williams twice in a row in the second round of Indian Wells and Miami. While she managed to test Williams with a 5–7, 5–7 score, she was not able to win a set against her in either match. She also suffered first-round losses at Shenzhen, Hobart, the Australian Open, Dubai, Prague, and the French Open.[1]

Niculescu won the Marseille clay 100K tournament in June. Shortly thereafter, she defeated first-seeded Agnieszka Radwańska 5–7, 6–4, 6–0 at the Nottingham grass tournament to earn a place in the final where she lost to teenager Ana Konjuh 6–1, 4–6, 2–6. All five matches she played went to three sets. She then lost in the first round at Birmingham to the 10th seed, Barbora Strýcová.[1]

Niculescu earned a spot in the fourth round at the Wimbledon Championships for the first time, defeating Monica Puig 5–7, 6–3, 6–1, Jana Čepelová 6–3, 6–3, and Kristýna Plíšková 6–3, 7–5. This is the second time she has made it past the third round at a major. Despite winning the first set of her fourth-round match 6-1 and having a positive head-to-head record against the player, she was defeated by 15th-seeded Timea Bacsinszky, who took the next two sets.[2]

2016: Doubles success

Niculescu reached a career-high ranking of 16 in doubles in July. She partnered with Sania Mirza to win in New Haven.[3]

2017: Wimbledon doubles final and first WTA 125 series crown

She started her season at Shenzhen Open with a victory, defeating Zhang Kailin, but she lost her second match to Wang Qiang.

Niculescu also played at Hobart International, where she made it to the final and lost to Elise Mertens, 3–6, 1–6.

At the Australian Open, she lost to Anna Blinkova in the first round. Then, Niculescu played doubles with Abigail Spears, but they lost in the first round to Andrea Petkovic and Mirjana Lučić-Baroni. She won the WTA 125 Series Open at Limoges on 12 November.

2020

Playing style

Nicolescu plays right-handed, with powerful topspin backhand and unpredictable forehand slice. She has great volleying ability and great footwork.

Personal life

Her mother, Cristiana Silvia Niculescu is a pharmaceutical sales representative; her father Mihai Niculescu is an engineer.[1] Niculescu has an older sister, Gabriela, who was a professional tennis player too and attended University of Idaho, after transferring from USC after her junior year.[1]

Monica Niculescu cited Martina Hingis and Andre Agassi as her tennis idols.[1]

Performance timelines
Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# A P Z# PO G F-S SF-B NMS NH
(W) Won; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (A) absent; (P) postponed; (Z#) Davis/Fed Cup Zonal Group (with number indication) or (PO) play-off; (G) gold, (F-S) silver or (SF-B) bronze Olympic medal; a (NMS) downgraded Masters Series/1000 tournament; (NH) not held. SR=strike rate (events won/competed)
To avoid confusion and double counting, these charts are updated at the conclusion of a tournament or when the player's participation has ended.

Only main-draw results in WTA Tour, Grand Slam tournaments, Fed Cup and Olympic Games are included in win–loss records.

Singles

Current through the suspension of the 2020 WTA Tour.

Tournament 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 SR W–L Win %
Grand Slam tournaments[4]
Australian Open A A 1R 2R 1R 3R 3R 1R 3R 1R 2R 1R 1R 1R 1R 0 / 13 8–13 38%
French Open A A 1R 1R Q3 1R 1R 1R 2R 1R 1R 1R A A 0 / 9 1–9 10%
Wimbledon A A 2R 1R 2R 2R 1R 1R 1R 4R 2R 1R 1R 2R NH 0 / 12 8–12 40%
US Open A A 1R 1R 1R 4R 1R 1R 2R 2R 3R 3R 1R 1R 0 / 12 9–12 43%
Win–Loss 0–0 0–0 1–4 1–4 1–3 6–4 2–4 0–4 4−4 4−4 4−4 2–4 0–3 1–3 0–1 0 / 46 26–46 36%
National representation
Summer Olympics Not Held A Not Held A Not Held 2R Not Held P 0 / 0 1–0 100%
Premier Mandatory tournaments
Indian Wells Open A A A 1R Q1 2R 2R 2R 2R 2R 3R 2R 1R Q1 P 0 / 9 6–9 40%
Miami Open A A A 1R A 2R 2R 1R 1R 2R 4R 1R 3R 3R P 0 / 10 8–10 44%
Madrid Open Not Held 1R A 1R 1R Q1 1R Q2 1R 1R A A P 0 / 6 0–6 0%
China Open Not Tier I A Q1 SF 2R 2R 1R 1R Q2 2R Q1 Q1 0 / 6 7–6 54%
Premier 5 tournaments
Dubai / Qatar Open Not Tier I 2R 2R A Q2 QF 2R 3R 1R 3R A 3R Q2 A 0 / 8 12–8 60%
Italian Open A A 2R 1R A A 1R 1R Q2 Q2 1R 1R A A P 0 / 6 1–6 14%
Canadian Open A A 2R 1R 1R Q2 A A A A 2R A 1R A P 0 / 5 2–5 29%
Cincinnati Open Not Tier I A 2R 1R A 2R Q2 Q1 Q1 Q1 Q1 A 0 / 3 2–3 40%
Pan Pacific / Wuhan Open A A A A A A 1R A A 2R A 1R 1R A 0 / 4 1–4 20%
Career statistics[5]
Tournaments 0 1 15 22 9 15 23 22 20 21 20 19 15 11 1 Career total: 214
Titles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 Career total: 3
Finals 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 Career total: 8
Overall Win–Loss 0–0 0–1 8–15 10–22 6–9 21–15 15–23 22–21 22–19 20–21 26–20 11–20 9–14 8–10 0–1 3 / 214 178–211 46%
Year-end ranking 222 179 47 101 83 30 58 60 47 39 39 100 78 116 $6,091,168

Doubles

Updated up to end of 2019

Tournament20062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201720182019W-L
Grand Slam tournaments[4]
Australian Open A 2R 3R 2R QF 3R 2R 2R 1R 1R SF 3R 17–11
French Open A 2R 3R QF 3R 2R 3R 2R 1R A 12–8
Wimbledon A 2R 3R 2R 2R 2R 1R 2R 2R 1R F 3R 3R 17–12
US Open A 2R 3R 3R 1R 1R 1R 2R 2R 3R 3R 2R 1R 12–12
Win–Loss 0–0 0–0 3–3 7–4 8–4 4–4 5–4 4–4 4–4 3–4 2–3 7–3 7–3 4–3 58–43
Olympic Games
Summer Olympics NH A NH A NH 1R NH 0–1
Premier Mandatory tournaments
Indian Wells Open A QF 1R 1R 2R 1R 1R 2R 2R 1R QF 2R 8–11
Miami Open A 1R 2R 2R SF 1R 2R QF SF 1R 1R QF 13–11
Madrid Open NH NH NH 2R A 1R 2R A 2R 1R 1R 2R A 4–7
China Open Tier Tier Tier A 1R 1R A 1R 2R 2R 2R 1R 3–7
Premier-5 tournaments
Dubai not Premier 5 QF A 2R NP5 QF NP5 A NP5 1R 5–4
Doha A QF NH NP5 1R A NP5 2R NP5 A NP5 3–3
Italian Open A 1R QF 2R 2R SF 1R A 7–6
Cincinnati Open A 1R SF QF 1R A 1R 1R 1R QF F 1R A 11–10
Canadian Open A 1R 1R SF 2R A F 2R 1R A 9–6
Tokyo A 1R A NP5 0–1
Wuhan NH 1R F A 2R A 4–2
Year-end ranking 159 131 35 30 30 50 27 70 38 33 19 23 48 47

Significant finals

Grand Slam finals

Doubles: 1 (1 runner-up)
Result Year Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 2017 Wimbledon Grass Chan Hao-ching Ekaterina Makarova
Elena Vesnina		 0–6, 0–6

Premier-Mandatory/Premier-5 finals

Doubles: 3 (3 runner-ups)
Result Year Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 2015 Wuhan Open Hard Irina-Camelia Begu Martina Hingis
Sania Mirza		 2−6, 3−6
Loss 2016 Canadian Open Hard Simona Halep Ekaterina Makarova
Elena Vesnina		 3–6, 6–7(5–7)
Loss 2017 Cincinnati Open Hard Hsieh Su-wei Chan Yung-jan
Martina Hingis		 6–4, 4–6, [7–10]

WTA career finals

Singles: 8 (3 titles, 5 runner-ups)
Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (0–0)
Tour Championships (0–0)
Premier Mandatory & Premier 5 (0–0)
Premier (0–0)
International (3–5)
Result W–L Date Tournament Tier Surface Opponent Score
Loss 0–1 Oct 2011 Luxembourg Open, Luxembourg International Hard (i) Victoria Azarenka 2–6, 2–6
Loss 0–2 Oct 2012 Luxembourg Open, Luxembourg International Hard (i) Venus Williams 2–6, 3–6
Win 1–2 Mar 2013 Brasil Tennis Cup, Brasil International Hard Olga Puchkova 6–2, 4–6, 6–4
Win 2–2 Sep 2014 Guangzhou Open, China International Hard Alizé Cornet 6–4, 6–0
Loss 2–3 Jun 2015 Nottingham Open, United Kingdom International Grass Ana Konjuh 6–1, 4–6, 2–6
Loss 2–4 Sep 2016 Korea Open, South Korea International Hard Lara Arruabarrena 0–6, 6–2, 0–6
Win 3–4 Oct 2016 Luxembourg Open, Luxembourg International Hard (i) Petra Kvitová 6–4, 6–0
Loss 3–5 Jan 2017 Hobart International, Australia International Hard Elise Mertens 3–6, 1–6

Doubles: 26 (9 titles, 17 runner-ups)
Legend (pre/post 2009)
Grand Slam tournaments (0–1)
Tour Championships (0–0)
Tier I / Premier Mandatory & Premier 5 (0–3)
Tier II / Premier (1–4)
Tier III, IV & V / International (8–9)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Tier Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 0–1 Aug 2008 Connecticut Open,
United States		 Tier II Hard Sorana Cîrstea Květa Peschke
Lisa Raymond		 6–4, 5–7, [7–10]
Win 1–1 Jul 2009 Hungarian Ladies Open,
Hungary		 International Clay Alisa Kleybanova Alona Bondarenko
Kateryna Bondarenko		 6–4, 7–6(7–5)
Loss 1–2 Aug 2009 Bank of the West Classic,
United States		 Premier Hard Chan Yung-jan Serena Williams
Venus Williams		 1–6, 4–6
Loss 1–3 Jan 2010 Hobart International,
Australia		 International Hard Chan Yung-jan Květa Peschke
Chuang Chia-jung		 6–3, 3–6, [7–10]
Loss 1–4 Jul 2010 Prague Open,
Czech Republic		 International Clay Ágnes Szávay Timea Bacsinszky
Tathiana Garbin		 5–7, 6–7(4–7)
Loss 1–5 Jul 2011 Baku Cup,
Azerbaijan		 International Hard Galina Voskoboeva Mariya Koryttseva
Tatiana Poutchek		 3–6, 6–2, [8–10]
Win 2–5 Jan 2012 Hobart International,
Australia		 International Hard Irina-Camelia Begu Chuang Chia-jung
Marina Erakovic		 6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–4), [10–5]
Loss 2–6 Sep 2012 Guangzhou Open,
China		 International Hard Jarmila Gajdošová Tamarine Tanasugarn
Zhang Shuai		 6–2, 2–6, [8–10]
Loss 2–7 Oct 2012 Luxembourg Open,
Luxembourg		 International Hard (i) Irina-Camelia Begu Andrea Hlaváčková
Lucie Hradecká		 3–6, 4–6
Loss 2–8 Jun 2013 Eastbourne International,
United Kingdom		 Premier Grass Klára Koukalová Nadia Petrova
Katarina Srebotnik		 3-6, 3-6
Win 3–8 Jan 2014 Shenzhen Open,
China		 International Hard Klára Koukalová Lyudmyla Kichenok
Nadiia Kichenok		 6–3, 6–4
Win 4–8 Jan 2014 Hobart International,
Australia (2)		 International Hard Klára Koukalová Lisa Raymond
Zhang Shuai		 6–2, 6–7(5–7), [10–8]
Loss 4–9 Apr 2014 Katowice Open,
Poland		 International Hard (i) Klára Koukalová Yuliya Beygelzimer
Olga Savchuk		 4–6, 7–5, [7–10]
Loss 4–10 Jan 2015 Hobart International,
Australia		 International Hard Vitalia Diatchenko Kiki Bertens
Johanna Larsson		 5–7, 3–6
Loss 4–11 Oct 2015 Wuhan Open,
China		 Premier 5 Hard Irina-Camelia Begu Martina Hingis
Sania Mirza		 2−6, 3−6
Loss 4–12 Oct 2015 Kremlin Cup,
Russia		 Premier Hard (i) Irina-Camelia Begu Daria Kasatkina
Elena Vesnina		 3–6, 7–6(9–7), [5–10]
Win 5–12 Jan 2016 Shenzhen Open,
China (2)		 International Hard Vania King Xu Yifan
Zheng Saisai		 6−1, 6−4
Win 6–12 Jul 2016 Citi Open,
United States		 International Hard Yanina Wickmayer Shuko Aoyama
Risa Ozaki		 6–4, 6–3
Loss 6–13 Jul 2016 Rogers Cup,
Canada		 Premier 5 Hard Simona Halep Ekaterina Makarova
Elena Vesnina		 3–6, 6–7(5–7)
Win 7–13 Aug 2016 Connecticut Open,
United States		 Premier Hard Sania Mirza Kateryna Bondarenko
Chuang Chia-jung		 7–5, 6–4
Loss 7–14 Oct 2016 Luxembourg Open,
Luxembourg		 International Hard (i) Patricia Maria Țig Kiki Bertens
Johanna Larsson		 6–4, 5–7, [9–11]
Win 8–14 Apr 2017 Ladies Open Biel Bienne,
Switzerland		 International Hard (i) Hsieh Su-wei Timea Bacsinszky
Martina Hingis		 5–7, 6–3, [10–7]
Loss 8–15 Jul 2017 Wimbledon,
United Kingdom		 Grand Slam Grass Chan Hao-ching Ekaterina Makarova
Elena Vesnina		 0–6, 0–6
Loss 8–16 Aug 2017 Cincinnati Open,
United States		 Premier 5 Hard Hsieh Su-wei Chan Yung-jan
Martina Hingis		 6–4, 4–6, [7–10]
Win 9–16 Feb 2019 Hua Hin Championships,
Thailand		 International Hard Irina-Camelia Begu Anna Blinkova
Wang Yafan		 2–6, 6–1, [12–10]
Loss 9–17 Aug 2019 Bronx Open,
United States		 International Hard Margarita Gasparyan Darija Jurak
María José
Martínez Sánchez		 5–7, 6–2, [7–10]

WTA 125K series finals

Singles: 1 (1 title)
Result W–L Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Win 1–0 Nov 2017 WTA Limoges, France Hard (i) Antonia Lottner 6–4, 6–2

ITF Circuit finals

Singles: 24 (19 titles, 5 runner–ups)
Legend
$100,000 tournaments
$75,000 tournaments
$50,000 tournaments
$25,000 tournaments
$15,000 tournaments
$10,000 tournaments
Finals by surface
Hard (9–2)
Clay (9–3)
Grass (1–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Tier Surface Opponent Score
Win 1–0 Aug 2002 ITF Bucharest, Romania 10,000 Clay Tsvetana Pironkova 6–1, 7–6(7–4)
Win 2–0 Apr 2003 ITF Cavtat, Croatia 10,000 Clay Darija Jurak 6–4, 6–1
Win 3–0 Aug 2003 ITF Timișoara, Romania 10,000 Clay Veronica Rizhik 6–2, 6–3
Win 4–0 Feb 2004 ITF Albufeira, Portugal 10,000 Hard Irina Kotkina 6–1, 3–6, 6–0
Win 5–0 Feb 2004 ITF Portimao, Portugal 10,000 Hard Nadja Pavic 6–4, 7–6(7–4)
Win 6–0 May 2004 ITF Bucharest, Romania 10,000 Clay Simona Matei 6–2, 6–2
Win 7–0 Aug 2004 ITF Iași, Romania 10,000 Clay Raluca Olaru 7–6(7–5), 6–0
Win 8–0 Mar 2005 ITF Cairo, Egypt 10,000 Clay Galina Fokina 6–4, 6–2
Win 9–0 Mar 2005 ITF Ain Sokhna, Egypt 10,000 Clay Magdaléna Rybáriková 6–3, 6–4
Win 10–0 May 2005 ITF Antalya, Turkey 25,000 Clay Ekaterina Dzehalevich 6–2, 6–2
Win 11–0 Aug 2005 ITF Coimbra, Portugal 25,000 Hard Aravane Rezaï 6–3, 6–1
Loss 11–1 Jul 2006 ITF Stuttgart, Germany 25,000 Clay Yevgenia Savranska 6-7(4–7), 5–7
Loss 11–2 Jul 2006 ITF Darmstadt, Germany 25,000 Clay Magda Mihalache 0–6, 1–6
Loss 11–3 Aug 2006 ITF Coimbra, Portugal 25,000 Hard Kelly Liggan 0–6, 6-7(7–9)
Win 12–3 Sep 2007 ITF Granada, Spain 25,000 Hard María José Martínez Sánchez 6–3, 6–4
Win 13–3 Oct 2007 ITF Istanbul, Turkey 25,000 Hard (i) Oxana Lyubtsova 6–2, 6–0
Win 14–3 Nov 2007 ITF Port Pirie, Australia 25,000 Hard Hwang I-hsuan 6–1, 6–2
Win 15–3 Nov 2007 ITF Mount Gambier, Australia 25,000 Hard Lee Ye-ra 6–3, 6–1
Loss 15–4 Nov 2008 ITF Kraków, Poland 100,000 Hard (i) Anne Keothavong 6–7(4–7), 6–4, 3–6
Loss 15–5 Jul 2010 ITF Pétange, Luxembourg 100,000 Clay Mathilde Johansson 3–6, 3–6
Win 16–5 Nov 2012 ITF Nantes, France 50,000 Hard (i) Yulia Putintseva 6–2, 6–3
Win 17–5 Jun 2015 ITF Marseille, France 100,000 Clay Pauline Parmentier 6–2, 7–5
Win 18–5 Nov 2015 ITF Poitiers, France 100,000 Hard (i) Pauline Parmentier 7–5, 6–2
Win 19–5 Jun 2019 ITF Ilkley, United Kingdom 100,000 Grass Tímea Babos 6–2, 4–6, 6–3

Doubles: 37 (21 titles, 16 runner–ups)
Legend
$100,000 tournaments
$75,000 tournaments
$50,000 tournaments
$25,000 tournaments
$10,000 tournaments
Finals by surface
Hard (4–3)
Clay (17–13)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Tier Surface Partner Opponents Score
Loss 0–1 Aug 2002 ITF Bucharest,
Romania		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Radoslava Topalova
Virginia Trifonova		 4–6, 6–3, 3–6
Win 1–1 Aug 2002 ITF Bucharest,
Romania		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Iveta Gerlová
Nina Nittinger		 6–2, 6–2
Loss 1–2 Mar 2003 ITF Makarska,
Croatia		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Stefanie Haidner
Daniela Klemenschits		 6–3, 6–7(7–9), 4–6
Win 2–2 Mar 2003 ITF Makarska,
Croatia		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Darija Jurak
Maria Jedlicková		 6–2, 6–2
Loss 2–3 Apr 2003 ITF Dubrovnik,
Croatia		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Mervana Jugić-Salkić
Darija Jurak		 2–6, 6–4, 2–6
Loss 2–4 Aug 2003 ITF Bucharest,
Romania		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Anna Bastrikova
Elena Vesnina		 4–6, 4–6
Loss 2–5 Aug 2003 ITF Timișoara,
Romania		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Julia Acs
Vasilisa Davydova		 4–6, 3–6
Win 3–5 May 2004 ITF Bucharest,
Romania		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Lenore Lazaroiu
Andra Savu		 6–4, 6–2
Win 4–5 Jul 2004 ITF Bucharest,
Romania		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Liana Ungur
Iris Ichim		 6–4, 6–1
Win 5–5 Aug 2004 ITF Târgu Mureș,
Romania		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Simona Matei
Barbara Pócza		 7–5, 6–1
Win 6–5 Aug 2004 ITF Iași,
Romania		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Nadine Schlotterer
Eva Valková		 7–5, 6–1
Win 7–5 Mar 2005 ITF Cairo,
Egypt		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Hanna Andreyeva
Valeria Bondarenko		 6–2, 6–3
Win 8–5 Mar 2005 ITF Ain Sokhna,
Egypt		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Laura-Ramona Husaru
Sarah Raab		 6–1, 6–1
Loss 8–6 Apr 2005 ITF Civitavecchia,
Italy		 25,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Lucie Hradecká
Sandra Záhlavová		 4–6, 3–6
Win 9–6 May 2005 ITF Antalya,
Turkey		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Irina Buryachok
Olga Panova		 6–3, 6–4
Win 10–6 May 2005 ITF Antalya,
Turkey		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Renata Kucerková
Kathrin Woerle		 6–7, 6–0, 6–0
Loss 10–7 Oct 2005 ITF Sevilla,
Spain		 25,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Sara Errani
María José Martínez Sánchez		 2–6, 6–7(5–7)
Loss 10–8 Apr 2006 ITF Athens,
Greece		 25,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Olga Brózda
Margit Rüütel		 6–2, 4–6, 2–6
Win 11–8 May 2006 ITF Bucharest,
Romania		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Sorana Cîrstea
Diana Buzean		 6–3, 6–0
Win 12–8 Jun 2006 ITF Bucharest,
Romania		 10,000 Clay Gabriela Niculescu Raluca Ciulei
Neda Kozic		 6–2, 6–1
Win 13–8 Jul 2006 ITF Stuttgart,
Germany		 25,000 Clay Renata Voráčová Eva Fislová
Stanislava Hrozenská		 6–2, 6–7(4–7), 7–5
Win 14–8 Jul 2006 ITF Darmstadt,
Germany		 25,000 Clay Yevgenia Savranska Daniela Klemenschits
Sandra Klemenschits		 1–6, 6–0, 6–1
Win 15–8 Sep 2006 ITF Mestre,
Italy		 50,000 Clay Renata Voráčová Margalita Chakhnashvili
Tatjana Maria		 6–4, 3–6, 6–4
Win 16–8 Apr 2007 ITF Putignano,
Italy		 25,000 Hard Andreja Klepač Jessica Kirkland
Carmen Klaschka		 6–2, 7–5
Loss 16–9 Jul 2006 ITF Jounieh,
Lebanon		 75,000 Clay Madalina Gojnea Tatiana Poutchek
Anastasiya Yakimova		 7–5, 6–0
Win 17–9 Jul 2007 ITF Darmstadt,
Germany		 25,000 Clay Ekaterina Dzehalevich Hilary Barte
Tatjana Priachin		 6–4, 7–5
Loss 17–10 Jul 2007 ITF Bucharest,
Romania		 25,000 Clay Ekaterina Dzehalevich Sorana Cîrstea
Ágnes Szatmári		 6–0, 4–6, ret.
Loss 17–11 Sep 2007 ITF Madrid,
Spain		 25,000 Clay Yevgenia Savranska María José Martínez Sánchez
Arantxa Parra Santonja		 6–1, 6–7(4–7)
Loss 17–12 Jul 2007 ITF Granada,
Spain		 25,000 Clay Alexandra Dulgheru Marta Marrero
María José Martínez Sánchez		 4–6, 1–6
Win 18–12 Nov 2007 ITF Mount Gambier,
Australia		 25,000 Hard Antonia Matic Sophie Ferguson
Trudi Musgrave		 5–7, 6–3, [10–8]
Win 19–12 Dec 2007 ITF Dubai,
United Arab Emirates		 75,000 Hard Marina Erakovic Yuliana Fedak
Anna Lapushchenkova		 7–6(7–1), 6–4
Loss 19–13 Oct 2008 ITF Poitiers,
France		 100,000 Hard (i) Akgul Amanmuradova Petra Cetkovská
Lucie Šafářová		 4–6, 4–6
Loss 19–14 Oct 2008 ITF Bratislava,
Slovakia		 100,000 Hard (i) Akgul Amanmuradova Andrea Hlaváčková
Lucie Hradecká		 6–7(1–7), 1–6
Loss 19–15 Jul 2010 ITF Biarritz,
France		 100,000 Clay Lourdes Domínguez Lino Sharon Fichman
Julia Görges		 5–7, 4–6
Win 20–15 Jul 2010 ITF Pétange,
Luxembourg		 100,000 Clay Sharon Fichman Sophie Lefèvre
Laura Thorpe		 6–4, 6–2
Loss 20–16 Oct 2013 ITF Poitiers,
France		 100,000 Hard (i) Christina McHale Lucie Hradecká
Michaëlla Krajicek		 6–7(5–7), 6–2
Win 21–16 Nov 2015 ITF Poitiers,
France		 100,000 Hard (i) Andreea Mitu Stéphanie Foretz
Amandine Hesse		 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–2), [10–8]

WTA Tour career earnings
YearGrand Slam
singles titles		WTA
singles titles		Total
singles titles		Earnings ($)Money list rank
2003 0 0 0 6,343 493
2004 0 0 0 9,073 433
2005 0 0 0 ? ?
2006 0 0 0 ? ?
2007 0 0 0 ? ?
2008 0 0 0 249,035 67
2009 0 0 0 315,414 67
2010 0 0 0 251,188 77
2011 0 0 0 549,493 38
2012 0 0 0 450,393 45
2013 0 1 1 406,372 62
2014 0 1 1 582,694 44
2015 0 0 0 667,180 ?
2016* 0 0 0 335,909 37
Career* 0 2 2 3,480,360 97

*as of 23 May 2016

Head-to-head record against top-ten players

Niculescu's win-loss record against certain players who have been ranked world No. 10 or higher is as follows:

Player Record Win % Hard Clay Grass Last Match
No. 1 ranked players
Maria Sharapova 1–0 100% 1–0 0–0 0–0 Won (4–6, 6–4, 6–3) at Doha 2018
Victoria Azarenka 0–5 0% 0–4 0–1 0–0 Loss (1–6, 4–6) at 2013 Australian Open
Angelique Kerber 1–3 25% 1–3 0–0 0–0 Loss (6–0, 1–6, 2-6) at 2013 Linz
Kim Clijsters 0–1 0% 0–0 0–0 0–1 Loss (5–7, 5–7) at 2011 's-Hertogenbosch
Ana Ivanovic 0–2 0% 0–1 0–1 0–0 Loss (5–7, 3–6) at 2012 Linz
Jelena Janković 2–5 29% 2–4 0–1 0–0 Win (3-6, 6–4, 7–5) at 2016 Doha
Amélie Mauresmo 0–1 0% 0–1 0–0 0–0 Loss (1–6, 2–6) at 2009 Paris
Serena Williams 0–2 0% 0–2 0–0 0–0 Loss (4–6, 1–6) at 2015 Miami
Venus Williams 0–1 0% 0–1 0–0 0–0 Loss (2–6, 3–6) at 2012 Luxembourg
Caroline Wozniacki 0–6 0% 0–6 0–0 0–0 Loss (3–6, 1–6) at 2013 Luxembourg
No. 2 ranked players
Simona Halep 0–2 0% 0–0 0–2 0–0 Loss (2–6, 6–4, 1–6) at 2014 Bucharest
Petra Kvitová 1–2 33% 1–0 0–1 0–1 Loss (6–2, 6–7(5–7), 2-6) at 2016 Stuttgart
Na Li 1–1 50% 1–1 0–0 0–0 Loss (5–7, 6–4, 4–6 ) at 2012 Shenzhen
Agnieszka Radwańska 1–4 20% 0–4 0–0 1–0 Loss (1–6, 5–7) at 2016 Montréal
Vera Zvonareva 1–1 50% 1–1 0–0 0–0 Win (7–5, 3–2 ret.) at 2012 Doha
No. 3 ranked players
No. 4 ranked players
Kimiko Date-Krumm 1–1 50% 1–1 0–0 0–0 Win (6–2, 2–1 ret.) at 2013 Monterrey
Francesca Schiavone 0–4 0% 0–3 0–1 0–0 Loss (3–6, 5–7) at 2012 Stuttgart
Samantha Stosur 0–7 0% 0–7 0–0 0–0 Loss (3–6, 2–6) at 2015 Beijing
No. 5 ranked players
Anna Chakvetadze 1–1 50% 1–1 0–0 0–0 Loss (0–6, 4–6) at 2012 Hobart
Sara Errani 1–4 20% 1–2 0–2 0–0 Loss (7–5, 1–6, 2-6) at 2015 Bucharest
Daniela Hantuchová 1–0 100% 1–0 0–0 0–0 Win (6–1, 6–3) at 2012 Luxembourg
Lucie Šafářová 2–0 100% 2–0 0–0 0–0 Win (6–2, 6–0) at 2012 Beijing
No. 6 ranked players
Flavia Pennetta 0–3 0% 0–2 0–0 0–1 Loss (1–6, 4–6) at 2015 US Open
Carla Suárez Navarro 0–5 0% 0–4 0–1 0–0 Loss (7–5, 3-6, 4–6) at 2015 Wuhan
No. 7 ranked players
Marion Bartoli 0–1 0% 0–1 0–0 0–0 Loss (6-2, 3–6, 2–6) at 2011 Indian Wells
Karolína Plíšková 2–1 67% 2–1 0–0 0–0 Loss (4-6, 6–4, 3–6) at 2016 Fed Cup
Patty Schnyder 0–1 0% 0–1 0–0 0–0 Loss (1-6, 5–7) at 2008 Montréal
Roberta Vinci 0–1 0% 0–0 0–0 0–1 Loss (3–6, 7–6(7–4), 0-6) at 2012 's-Hertogenbosch
No. 8 ranked players
Ekaterina Makarova 1–4 20% 0–3 1–1 0–0 Loss (7–5, 6-7(3–7), 3-6) at 2014 Indian Wells
Alicia Molik 0–1 0% 0–0 0–1 0–0 Loss (6-4, 6-7(5–7), 0-6) at 2010 Barcelona
No. 9 ranked players
Timea Bacsinszky 4–3 57% 2–0 2–1 0–2 Loss (6-4, 2-6, 1-6) at 2016 Wimbledon
Madison Keys 1–0 100% 1–0 0–0 0–0 Win (6–1, 2–6, 7-6(8–6)) at 2013 Washington
Andrea Petkovic 2–3 40% 0–2 2–1 0–0 Loss (6-0, 6-7(1–7), 3-6) at 2016 Fed Cup
No. 10 ranked players
Dominika Cibulková 0–1 0% 0–1 0–0 0–0 Loss (4–6, 3-6) at 2008 Los Angeles
Maria Kirilenko 2–2 50% 2–2 0–0 0–0 Loss (3-6, 0-6) at 2012 Dubai
Total 25–79 24.04% 19–59 5–14 1–6 –

Top-10 wins per season
Season200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017Total
Wins0000011000114
# Player Rank Event Surface Round Score
2011
1. Li Na No. 5 China Open, China Hard 1st round 6–4, 6–0
2012
2. Vera Zvonareva No. 8 Qatar Open, Qatar Hard 2nd round 7–5, 3–2 ret.
2016
3. Petra Kvitová No. 9 Fed Cup, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Hard (i) RR 6–3, 6–4
2017
4. Johanna Konta No. 7 China Open, China Hard 1st round 6–1, 6–2

References
  1. Monica Niculescu stats at the WTA Tour's official website.
  2. Wimbledon Draw Ladies Singles 2015 Wimbledon Draw.
  3. WTATennis Mirza & Niculescu Claim New Haven Crown
  4. "Grand Slam performances - Singles & Doubles".
  5. "Player & Career Overview".
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