Mary-Lou Daniels


Mary-Lou Daniels is a retired tennis player from the U.S. who played on the WTA Tour during the 1980s.
In 1979, she was the no. 1 junior in the world. She won her first pro title at Richmond, Virginia 1981, beating Sylvia Hanika and Sue Barker en route. She was coached by her father Joseph, a former varsity player at Indiana University, and by Trinity coach Emilie Foster.
Mary-Lou Piatek made her ranking debut in February 1980 at no. 45. Her career wins include Robin White, Christiane Jolissaint, Kathy Horvath, Wendy White, Gigi Fernández, and Betsy Nagelsen.

WTA Tour finals

Singles 4 (2–2)

OutcomeNo.DateTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Runner-up1.July 27, 1980Richmond, Virginia, USACarpet Martina Navratilova3–6, 0–6
Winner2.August 16, 1981Richmond, Virginia, USACarpet Sue Barker6–4, 6–1
Runner-up3.September 27, 1981Atlanta, Georgia, USACarpet Tracy Austin6–4, 3–6, 3–6
Winner4.January 23, 1984Denver, Colorado, USAHard Kim Sands6–1, 6–1

Doubles 21 (7–14)

OutcomeNo.DateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Runner-up1.December 21, 1980Tucson, Arizona, USACarpet Wendy White Leslie Allen
Barbara Potter
6–7, 0–6
Runner-up2.February 22, 1981Houston, Texas, USACarpet Regina Maršíková Sue Barker
Ann Kiyomura
7–5, 4–6, 3–6
Winner3.October 18, 1981Deerfield Beach, Florida, USAHard Wendy White Pam Shriver
Paula Smith
6–1, 3–6, 7–5
Runner-up4.February 14, 1982Kansas City, Missouri, USACarpet Anne Smith Barbara Potter
Sharon Walsh
6–4, 2–6, 2–6
Runner-up5.October 17, 1982Tampa, Florida, USAHard Wendy White Ann Kiyomura
Paula Smith
2–6, 4–6
Winner6.January 30, 1983Marco Island, Florida, USAClay Andrea Jaeger Rosie Casals
Wendy Turnbull
7–5, 6–4
Runner-up7.November 13, 1983Deerfield Beach, Florida, USAHard Pam Casale Bonnie Gadusek
Wendy White
1–6, 6–3, 3–6
Runner-up8.January 9, 1984Nashville, Tennessee, USAHard Paula Smith Sherry Acker
Candy Reynolds
7–5, 6–7, 6–7
Runner-up9.March 31, 1984Boston, Massachusetts, USACarpet Andrea Leand Barbara Potter
Sharon Walsh
6–7, 0–6
Runner-up10.October 14, 1984Tarpon Springs, Florida, USAHard Wendy White Carling Bassett
Liz Smylie
4–6, 3–6
Winner11.January 20, 1985Denver, Colorado, USACarpet Robin White Leslie Allen
Sharon Walsh
1–6, 6–4, 7–5
Runner-up12.September 29, 1985New Orleans, Louisiana, USACarpet Anne White Chris Evert-Lloyd
Wendy Turnbull
1–6, 2–6
Winner13.October 13, 1985Indianapolis, Indiana, USAHard Bonnie Gadusek Penny Barg
Sandy Collins
6–1, 6–0
Runner-up14.March 15, 1987Phoenix, Arizona, USAHard Anne White Penny Barg
Beth Herr
6–2, 2–6, 6–7
Winner15.March 22, 1987Dallas, Texas, USACarpet Anne White Elise Burgin
Robin White
7–5, 6–3
Winner16.November 8, 1987Little Rock, Arkansas, USAHard Robin White Lea Antonoplis
Barbara Gerken
6–2, 6–4
Runner-up17.April 9, 1989Hilton Head, South Carolina, USAClay Wendy White Hana Mandlíková
Martina Navratilova
4–6, 1–6
Runner-up18.February 11, 1990Hilton Head, South Carolina, USAClay Wendy White Manon Bollegraf
Meredith McGrath
0–6, 2–6
Winner19.February 25, 1990Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USAHard Wendy White Manon Bollegraf
Lise Gregory
7–5, 7–2
Runner-up20.April 7, 1991Hilton Head, South Carolina, USAClay Lise Gregory Claudia Kohde-Kilsch
Natalia Zvereva
4–6, 0–6
Runner-up21.November 14, 1991Indianapolis, Indiana, USAHard Sandy Collins Katrina Adams
Elna Reinach
7–5, 2–6, 4–6