2011 Fed Cup – Team Russia: Vera Zvonareva
26-year-old Russian, Vera Zvonareva is currently holding the world number three spot in professional tennis rankings. Reckoned as one of the most versatile woman tennis player in the world, Zvonareva has emerged as a big name in
the tennis circle in a short span of time.
The right-handed Russian has won 11 WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) titles and two ITF (International Tennis Federation) championships in her 10-year professional career. Zvonareva rose to her career best ranking of world number
two on 25th October 2010 but was demoted to the third slot this year by Kim Clijsters of Belgium.
Zvonareva has impressed tennis fans all over the world with her aggressive power hitting and extraordinary tennis skills. Her clouting forehand is considered to one of the best in the game and her mental resilience is as good as
any other top ranked player. The Russian steadied her way to the top five women players in 2008 and kept improving since then. She is considered to one of the most devastating opponents in the game of tennis these days and is capable to outclass any player
in the world.
Although listed in the top ten players for about four consecutive years, Zvonareva is yet to win a singles Grand Slam tournament, a misfortune she has been always criticised on. She had made it to the quarter-finals of the French
Open in 2003 by defeating the former world number one Serena Williams, only to be beaten by her fellow compatriot, Nadia Petrova. The 26-year-old featured the semi-finals of the Australian Open in 2009 and 2011, each time losing her title shot.
Zvonareva debut for her country in the 2003 Fed Cup World Group quarter-finals, assisting her side to a 5-0 victory by winning her rubber matches against Slovenia. Her win in the semi-final against France couldn’t avoid Russia’s
defeat by 2-3. Zvonareva paired up with Myskina and proved a pivotal role in Team Russia’s 2004 win of the Fed Cup by winning the crucial doubles matchup Marion Bartoli and Emilie Loit of France. This was Russia’s first ever title victory at the Fed Cup.
The third ranked Russian rejoined her national squad to defend the Fed Cup title in 2008 as she won her opening tie against Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain in the final of the tournament. Her other rubber against Carla Suarez-Navarro
was not played as Team Russia white washed the Spaniards in 4-0 victory. Her agonising ankle injury kept her sidelined from professional tennis for a while, missing the Fed Cup tie against Italy and some other major tournaments, including the 2009 Roland Garros.
Zvonareva hasn’t represented her country in the Fed Cup since the 2008 title victory.
The Australian Open campaign this year for Zvonareva ended in dismay as she was beaten in the semi-finals again by Clijsters, who eventually won the Grand Slam Down Under. She couldn’t defend her title at PTT Pattaya Open but nabbed
her first tile in over a year at the Qatar Ladies Open, upsetting the world number one, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark. Her most recent campaign at Sony Ericsson Open remained unsuccessful as she slumped in the semi-final against Victoria Azarenka.
Zvonareva’s performances in the running year have been quite satisfying but she needs to extend her title count if she desires to reach the top spot. She will be leading her country in the Fed Cup ties against Italy, due to be
played from 16thof April.
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