The 2008 season has already seen the revived rivalry between Serena and Venus Williams, the return of Maria Sharapova to the world’s elite and a less-than-impressive Justine Henin. Like previous seasons, there have been new up-and-coming players, who are already setting themselves up for great success. Casey Dellacqua and Mariya Koryttseva have already made exceptional strides in their young careers.

Ukraine's Koryttseva hasn’t failed to impress over the past two years. In 2006 she finished the year ranked 355 in the world, and most people didn’t anticipate what she was capable of. Since then she has risen almost 300 places. She is currently ranked 62 in the world, a career high for the young girl from Kiev.

In the past she has struggled with form and consistency, but recently she made a complete turnaround. In only her second Grand Slam appearance she managed to make the second round, going beyond what she achieved the year before on her debut.

Since then she has remained consistent, running to the semi-finals in Viña Del Mar and the quarter-finals in Acapulco. During her dream run, on the clay of Viña Del Mar, she didn’t lose a set until falling victim to the rejuvenated Klara Zakopalova.

She may not have a whole lot working in her favour, but it's very clear she is making a move in the right direction. Before long the young woman could very well be inside the world's top 20. But with fellow countrywomen, Alyona and Kateryna Bondarenko sitting at the top, Koryttseva will be eager to surpass the sister act and become the leading Ukrainian woman.

Dellacqua, on the other hand, has already achieved a career-high ranking well inside the world’s top 50. She may not hold a title to her name, but earlier this year she made a phenomenal run at the Australian Open, beating top 20 players Patty Schnyder, and Amelie Mauresmo, after conceding the first set to both of them.