From Russia with love...and tennis fans sure do love watching the young Russian beauties as they ascend through the WTA rankings. It was really Anna Kournikova who paved the way, but the latest wave of Russian women are less interested in becoming a starlet and more determined to win Grand Slams.
Seeing the Russian contingent mature on the tennis court has been truly amazing. They are tennis professionals, some are young, but all are focused on becoming the best. The last time we saw Kournikova, it was at a celebrity event, not on the tennis court.
Between them, they have three of four Grand Slam titles in 2004, and have handily beat all the top players, including the Belgians and the Americans.
No. 2 Anastasia Myskina
Owner of eight career singles titles, Myskina capitalized on her first-ever Grand Slam final appearance, and triumphed over her extremely nervous countrywoman Elena Dementieva to capture the French Open.
No. 5 Elena Dementieva
The only one of this Russian contingent not to have a Grand Slam title, but reached the finals at Roland Garros as well as New York. Some believe that her 50mph serve is holding her back, but even with the liability, she has produced some great results. Watch out once she gets a little more confidence.
No. 6 Svetlana Kuznetsova
We first met "Kuzi" as a young teenager mentored by the great Martina Navratilova, when the two partnered as an awesome doubles duo. Then out of nowhere, in her third U.S. Open appearance, Kuznetsova wins the whole thing! Look for more great things to come, and she's still a teenager.
No. 9 Maria Sharapova
The youngest of this group at 17, Sharapova surprised even herself by winning the Wimbledon title in just her second year on tour. Everyone wants her to be the next "Anna" but Sharapova just wants to be Maria. She is at times distracted by modeling, but make no mistake, her wins over Serena Williams and Lindsay Davenport at Wimbledon was not a fluke. Maria is the real deal.
These Russian ladies have definitely arrived, but look out for the rest - No. 11 Vera Zvonereva, No. 13 Nadia Petrova, No. 17 Elena Bovina and No. 29 Elena Likhovtseva.
With Russian tennis so strong, the question has to be asked...where are the Americans? Unfortunately there isn't a good answer. Davenport may have played her last match, Capriati seems to have problems closing out matches and nobody can keep up with the Williams sisters.
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