Jelena Jankovic has won more titles this year then Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova is beating Venus Williams in their head-to-head. Despite these facts, a closer inspection clearly shows a wide and obvious gap between the likes of Sharapova and the likes of Justine Henin. Sharapova and the Serbians haven't been around as much as the Williams sisters and Henin. But they are constantly being compared to them as equal and great competition.

Sharapova is no match, and she knows it: Some people try to hide the truth, Sharapova has beaten Venus Williams three times compared to the American's two wins. Let's take Miami earlier this year, when Maria beat Venus 2-6, 6-2, 7-5. The Russian was still coming off a shoulder injury and a confidence injury (no prizes for guessing where that came from). But Venus was coming off a devastating left-wrist injury, in only the second event of her comeback. Both made an array of unforced errors, but some may argue that Sharapova should have cleaned up better, keeping in mind the current form of Venus. The Russian screamed with joy as she converted on match point, knowing that the win was huge. But when Venus and Sharapova are in great form, I wonder what happens? Let's just say words don't do justice for the thrashing Venus gives her.

So what about the mental mind of Sharapova? Well, it's obvious she's a tough one, but she is reduced to dust when facing the Williams sisters. After the bludgeoning in Australia from Serena, Sharapova was down with a shoulder injury. But when she did play it was obvious her confidence hit rock bottom, another meeting with Serena in Miami couldn't have helped one bit. Some people say that she made up the shoulder injury, just to hide from her humiliation. But she has finally found form this year, in San Diego. The fact still remains, that the long and frustrating mental blow hardly shows a true champion's mentality.

'The fact still remains that Sharapova's long and frustrating mental blow hardly shows a true champion's mentality'


The Russian doesn't seem to be mentally scared of Henin who has outclassed her many times. Sharapova's two wins against her includes last year's US Open final. But Henin was hardly in good form, the Belgian took revenge in Madrid later that year. They have yet to meet this year, but Henin is without a doubt the better player. Right now Sharapova is trailing in the US Open, but what will happen next time she crashes out against a Williams sister?

Serbian sensations don't measure up: Jankovic and Ivanovic are obviously no match against Henin and the Williams sisters. They are young and learning, Ivanovic reached her first Grand Slam final but broke down, Jankovic ruined her first Grand Slam final chances last year. They put their heart and soul in every match and reel in the results. So if the Serbians are no match against Henin and the Williams sisters, why do they do so well in the Grand Slams? When the Williams sisters and Henin are injured or not in good form, they might not be able to live up to their Grand Slam positions. Ivanovic and Jankovic are next in line to fill up their places, they are consistent enough to do so. The elegant and hard-hitting Serbians have a bright future. Some say they might be able to raise their game and mind to the standard the Williams sisters and Henin set.   

They have to settle for second best: The Serbians' and Sharapova's work has to be admired, they are great players. But despite all the facts and results they bring, the Williams sisters and Henin are still alone at the top of the game. Unless Ivanovic, Jankovic and Sharapova show us they can hit with Henin and the Williams sisters, they will have no choice but to settle for second best.