How on earth did Svetlana Kuznetsova make the world's top three?

I kind of agree and disagree with this article. Kuznetsova is one of those players who can play awesome one day and bad the next. Though i do think she is top 10 worthy, i don't think she should be where she is in the rankings. She has produced great matches, like beating Jankovic in Dubai, but I've seen her in some dismal matches as well, like the semifinal clash she had with Chakvetadze at the US Open last year. That match was just bizarre: the first set Kuznetsova couldn't hit a ball in the court, and then after that Chakvetadze just collapsed. I think Sharapova is better, but seemingly gets injured a lot more than Kuznetsova, who's really a roadrunner on the tennis circuit. It seems she's always fit and plays her heart out at every tournament. But if they're both at their best, Sharapova's better.

Svetlana was never an all-arounder. She may have the agility of Kim Clijsters (who happens to be a close friend of her and apparently the only other top player that can perform the 'split' or 'straddle' on any surface), but she relys too much on her forehand. She may have one of the best forehands on the tour but clearly, it's her only weapon of choice. She's a baseliner. Moreso, she's also very inconsistent which is the demise of most baseliners who don't have another strategy other than bash the ball 'til they explode. One day she's playing like mad, the next she's playing as if she were one of those no-name players beyond the top 100. If anything, the US Open 2007 semifinal against Chakvetadze is proof. When I watched it, it was just hard to believe that those are top 10 players. They were horrible... Just horrible.

Kuzzie is a deserving candidate for the world's Elite 3.Sharapova is a super player and kuzzie is equally good.She has got one of the best forehands in the game.She is just mentally weak in big finals and against top players.If you notice she is the among the few pros to have beaten every other top 10 player.She can defeat anybody when she is at her best and you can notice she is the only active wta pro to slide,play jump shots,and even Hot dogs(between the legs shot) .No wonder federer likes her game that much.She is not used to the limelight but she is the most popular girl in the wta dressing room.Just 22,US OPEN champ,watch out people kuzzie is there to stay and justine -watch out for the no 1 ranking-It is kuzzie's time now?

Kuzzie is a champ unrecognized (DATS THE HEADING)

Maria is 20 and has 3 Grand Slam titles, a WTA Year End Tournament title, and twice as much titles as Kuznetsova. Svetlana will never surpass Maria. And anybody and beat anybody when they're at their best. And besides, Sharapova in her best form will always defeat Kuznetsova in her form. Well, I'd have to admit I like Kuznetsova's moves because they're so similar to Clijsters (is that why they're close friends?). Tons of acrobatics. You cannot not love it!

Heck yes Maria is better than Svetlana. Let's start off simply by saying 2004 was both their breakthrough years. However, Maria was more impressive, taking home 5 titles (including Wimbledon and the Year End Championships). The next year, the three Russians that won their Grand Slams had lots riding on the line. Anastasia became just the 3rd defending champion to lose in the 1st round. Svetlana was the 4th when she crashed out in her first match. Guess how far Maria went? Semis, which is very impressive. She's also won 3 Grand Slams since (first Russian to win multiple, first Russian to hold Wimbledon and Aussie Open). She has 18 titles, more than Svetlana. She also has reached #1, deservedly so. Sharapova just had an off year in 07 because she had so many points from 06 to defend, whereas Svetlana didn't really have as much. No doubt Sharapova is the #1 Russian.

As i already said Maria is a superb player and does have more titles than kuzzie cuz she plays well in big matches and younger.But kuzzie is a champion in her own way by winning the us open and showing true spirit in her fed cup glory.She herself agrees that she ain't very popular and it is fine for her.She proved she is no less than Maria once again by defeating Maria in Indian wells and Maria's victories over kuzzie were all 3 sets except 1(not sure).So kuzzie is undoubtedly a world class player and she is very fit and consistent.Kuzzie might not surpass Sharapova in all fields but she has many more G'Slams ,No 1 ranking and titles to come.Some of kuzzie's shots are spectacular as she frequently throws in hot dogs and splits and even federer likes her game .Whatsoever,kuzzie is a treat to watch when she is in good form.The only thing that is wrong in her game is the weird grunt which she doesn't use enough otherwise she's super cool.

Hahaha Michel how would you know. The reason she is in the world's top 3 is because she is not only consistent but actually can beat any player on tour. She just beat Sharapova in the Indian Wells Semis removing Sharapovas unbeatable streak in 08. And what you gonna say oh Sharapova had an off day! NO! Sharapova would have won if she was playing any other player outside the top 5. Only a quality player could have beater her. Who beat Henin on a clay court event last year - Kuznetsova! Not many people can beat Henin on clay. She has beaten the Williams Sisters and every other player in the top 20! Kuznetsova may not have the best head to head against the best players. But when she puts her game together she can challenge and even beat the top players because she is simply a quality tennis player and deserves to be in the category of Henin, Sharapova, the Williams Sisters, the Serbians (Who havent even won a GS yet), the other Russian stars, Davenport and so on.

Poorly researched. Firstly, Kuznetsova DID NOT BEAT HENIN on the way to her US Open title in 2004. Secondly, Sharapova was on the bottom half of the draws at 3 of the Grand Slams last year, so it is not like Kuzzie's half was a cakewalk for her. She is way better than Sharapova technically, it is just her temperament that lets her down. The rankings never lie. It is not easy to consistently make semis and finals, face it.