The 2006 Australian Open was played between 16 and 29 January 2006. Marat Safin could not defend his 2005 title, due to an injury he suffered in late 2005. Roger Federer won his second Australian Open title, defeating Marcos Baghdatis in the final in four sets. Serena Williams was unsuccessful in defending her 2005 title, losing in the third round against Daniela Hantuchová. Amélie Mauresmo won her first Australian Open title, defeating 2004 champion Justine Henin in the final; Henin-Hardenne was forced to retire at 1–6, 0–2 down due to a stomach virus. It began Henin-Hardenne's run of reaching the final of all four Grand Slam events, winning the French Open. Leadup Several leading men's players declined to attend the Open due to injury, including Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal and defending champion Marat Safin. The women's tournament had no absentees among the top 20 ranked players. It was Martina Hingis' first grand slam event in her comeback to the game. Lindsay Davenport and Serena Williams were among those who welcomed her return to the circuit as a positive step forward for women's tennis. Day-by-day schedules Day 1 (16 January) Day 2 (17 January) Day 3 (18 January) Finals Seniors Men's singles Roger Federer defeated Marcos Baghdatis, 5–7, 7–5, 6–0, 6–2 It was Federer's 2nd title of the year, and his 35th overall. It was his 7th career Grand Slam title, and his 2nd Australian Open title. Women's singles Amélie Mauresmo defeated Justine Henin, 6–1, 2–0, retired It was Mauresmo's 1st title of the year, and her 20th overall. It was her 1st career Grand Slam title. Men's doubles Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan defeated Martin Damm / Leander Paes, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 Women's doubles Yan Zi / Zheng Jie defeated Samantha Stosur / Lisa Raymond, 2–6, 7–6(7), 6–3 Mixed doubles Martina Hingis / Mahesh Bhupathi defeated Elena Likhovtseva / Daniel Nestor, 6–3, 6–3 Juniors Boys' singles Alexandre Sidorenko defeated Nick Lindahl, 6–3, 7–6(4) Girls' singles Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated Caroline Wozniacki, 1–6, 6–2, 6–3 Boys' doubles Błażej Koniusz / Grzegorz Panfil defeated Kellen Damico / Nathaniel Schnugg, 7–6(5), 6–3 Girls' doubles Sharon Fichman / Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated Alizé Cornet / Corinna Dentoni, 6–2, 6–2 Legends Men's doubles John Fitzgerald / Todd Woodbridge defeated Pat Cash / Peter McNamara, 6–3, 6–3, Mixed doubles Phil Dent / Dianne Balestrat defeated Tony Roche / Liz Smylie, 6–1, 6–1 Wheelchair Men's singles Michaël Jérémiasz defeated