Tennis players and fans rarely share the same opinions, but one fact is watertight. The Russians rule women's tennis. Justine Henin may be No 1 and the Williams sisters have each won a Slam, but Russians occupy four of the top ten spots and six of the top 15. 

Serbia has produced two rising stars, but the Russians have Anna Chakvetadze.  Some may call Chakvetadze a serious case of deja vu. After all, she is working with Robert Lansdorp, a former coach of Maria Sharapova.  Lansdorp has said that Chakvetadze is a very smart and talented player with a lot of potential.  Not only is Chakvetadze enjoying her highest career ranking at No 6, but she is perfect in career finals. Of her six tour titles, four have been won in 2007. For now Chakvetadze may be in the shadow of a bigger and louder Russian, but look for her to make her move in a Grand Slam soon.

Whenever Russian tennis is mentioned people automatically think of Maria Sharapova. And why not? The 6tf 2ins star has made herself the face of women's tennis. She burst on to the scene in 2004, stunning the world by winning her first major title at Wimbledon. Ever since then people have expected big things from her. It took her two years but she finally captured her second major at the US Open. She has won15 career titles on the WTA and earned more than $9m in prize money. Though 2007 has been a rough year for Maria she is still the most successful Russian by far.

'For now Chakvetadze may be in the shadow of a bigger and louder Russian, but look for her to make her move in a Grand Slam soon'


What can you say about Svetlana Kuznetsova? She won the 2004 US Open and made it to the final of Roland Garros in 2006.  She has won eight career titles and been ranked as high as No 3 in the world.  'Sveta' is one of only four players to beat Justine Henin this year, and the only one to beat her on clay.  She has produced some brilliant tennis followed by periods of mediocrity, but the Russian is still ranked four in the world.  She has remained injury free for much of her career and enjoyed a renaissance in 2006, winning the Nasdaq-100 in Miami.  Although she has yet to capture a title in 2007, she can look forward to a successful summer on her best surface.

Elena Dementieva wears the label no player wants - "best player never to have won a major."  When mentioning contenders for a title, odds makers always leave Dementieva out, but why? She is an Olympic Silver medallist and a two-time Grand Slam finalist. She is also a Fed Cup hero for Russia.  Most people will point to her serve as the weak point in her game, which is true. However, Dementieva has one of the if not the best ground game in women's tennis. 

Her solid forehand and deadly backhand are enough to win her matches. In 2007 she powered her way to the title in Istanbul, a tournament that also featured Sharapova. Elena is a fans' favourite and the only player to have been invited to the prestigious year-end championships since 2000.  It has been said that if Dementieva had a better serve, she could be the world's top ranked player.

So bring on challengers from Belgium, USA, Serbia and Australia - Chakvetadze, Sharapova, Kuznetsova and Dementieva are waiting for players to challenge their  supremacy in women's tennis.