Here was a day when one woman of stature played probably the match of her career, and another woman of even larger historical importance claimed another US Open doubles title no fewer than 29 years after securing her first in that forum.
Let's start with the former. Maria Sharapova had won Wimbledon two years earlier at 17 spectacularly, eclipsing Serena Williams in the final. The tennis she played at that tournament was magnificent. But her performance at Flushing Meadows in winning the US Open two years later was more comprehensive.
She played the game as efficiently as she ever did at any stage of her illustrious career, with immense poise, verve, masterful backcourt control and strategic serving of the highest order.
In the final, Sharapova outclassed none other than Justine Henin, the Belgian competitor who captured the US Open in 2003 and would win it again in 2007. Henin was seeded second at this US Open and Sharapova was the No. 3 seed, but most of the authorities looked for Henin to prevail over the Russian.
Henin garnered a quick service break and pulled ahead 2-0. She seemed primed for the battle, ready to play this match on her own terms, and poised to prove that she could contain Sharapova from the backcourt and win with a blend of defense and offense.
But Sharapova had other notions. From that 0-2 deficit, she never lost her serve again the rest of the match. Her serve and forehand were the twin motors that propelled her to an uplifting victory. Her depth, pace and precision were too much for Henin. From 3-4 down, Sharapova collected 12 of 16 points and three games in a row to take the opening set.
From 3-3 in the second set, a highly charged yet thoroughly composed Sharapova won three of four games, and conceded only one point in her last two service games. This was Maria Sharapova at her very best. She now owns a career Grand Slam and has secured five major titles, but never has this woman been better in a big match than she was against Henin at the 2006 US Open.
Sharapova said, "I felt like I came into the match actually pretty relaxed. Although I lost the first two games and got broken early in the first set I really didn't worry about it. I was pretty positive about the whole thing. I really didn't feel nervous. I was excited to be in the final of a Grand Slam and I thought I would just enjoy the moment of it and keep fighting until the end."
Just a couple of hours later, out walked the enduringly splendid Martina Navratilova. Martina would turn 50 the following month but one would never have known it as she joined forces with Bob Bryan to win the mixed doubles title. Navratilova reminded one and all that she may well be the best doubles player of all time among the women.
Her tactical doubles acumen was unassailable. Her first volley was second to none. Her sense of when to poach was uncanny. Navratilova and Bryan defeated Kveta Peschke and Martin Damm of the Czech Republic 6-2, 6-3. The match wads unexceptional but Navratilova's achievement was not.
This was her 59th and last Grand Slam tournament title and her farewell appearance in the women's game.
Asked the next day how she felt about stopping when she was still capable of succeeding in doubles at majors, Navratilova said, "I could keep going. I could play another five years. Physically there is no question about that. I could play beyond the legal speed limit in most places. But I don't want to. I mean, I have had enough, and it's time to move on. It's nice to be able leave on my own terms, playing my best tennis in six years."
And so Navratilova stuck by her convictions and bid farewell to competing in women's tennis. It was a decision well made.
