While all eyes have been on tops seeds Maria Sharapova and Jelena Jankovic, a contingent of Russians have charged through to the quarter-finals of the Acura Classic.

Of the last eight this year, Jankovic is nowhere to be seen, bowing out to a resilient Maria Kirilenko - and five of the quarter-finalists are Russian. The US summer hard-court season usually brings out the best Russia has to offer - but this year's domination is unprecedented.

Jankovic has come under scrutiny after this and her last match at Wimbledon, where she lost to Marion Bartoli. In both encounters she was pushed to three tough sets. This time it was Kirilenko who pushed and broke. So why is it that the Russian girls are playing fearlessly and dominating?

'The Russian girls certainly are friends but also are fierce competitors'


The first reason is down to coaching at the famed Spatchit Club in Moscow, which combines with natural height, agility and determination to make future champions.

Then comes camaraderie, where the girls help each other at difficult times and also adds an element of competitiveness. Russia certainly has this. The Russian girls are friends but also are fierce competitors.

The final theory is that many of the Russian girls play doubles, which gives you extra skills to transfer to singles and also a sense of team spirit. Anna Chadvataze has become a great doubles player in recent months and she is joined by regular doubles mates Svetlana Kuznetsova, Dinara Safina, Nadia Petrova and Kirilenko.

There is something to be said for coaches and players in Russia. Perhaps something we can all take a look at!