The Russian Reign: "Russia’s top 2 female tennis professionals"
Over the years, Russia’s beautiful blondes have undoubtedly, made their mark in the game of tennis. However, based upon their statistics, will their performances come up to par for the last grand slam of the year?
1. Maria Sharapova:
Presently ranked no. 13 in the World, “Maria Yuryevna Sharapova” hails from Nyagan, Russia. The gorgeous 23 year old has bagged 22 Women’s Tennis Association singles titles and 3 WTA doubles titles. Apart from which, she has three grand slam titles to her name. Sharapova went professional back in the year 2001. The sportswoman has also, remained World no. 1 at different stages in her career.
Maria got her professional breakthrough in 2003 by crushing one of the best female tennis players of our times. America’s Serena Williams was made to face defeat at the hands of the Russian newcomer. Sharapova thrashed Serena two sets in a row at the 2004 Wimbledon Championship. The outraged American lost 1-6 and 6-4 to Maria.
The aggressive baseliner won her second grand slam title two years down the line. The 2006 U.S. Open Women’s singles final consisted of Sharapova and Belgian player, Justine Henin. Maria came out victorious with a straight set win. Henin was eliminated after losing 4-6 and 4-6 to the Russian.
Sharapova made it to the 2007 French Open final. Nevertheless, she was defeated 6-1 and 6-2 by Serena Williams. She took her third grand slam title based upon her 2008 Australian Open win. Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic was on the losing end. The sportswoman won the first set of the final, 7 games to 5. The game came to a close in the second set as Maria won 6-3, comfortably.
The former World number one's inability to perform too well in the 2008 and 2009 majors are concerning factors. Maria’s shoulder injury probably has to do with her poor performances. The Russian’s proficiency this year has been disappointing. Sharapova failed to make it past the fourth round in all three of the 2010 grand slams played so far.
2. Svetlana Kuznetsova:
St. Petersburg’s “Svetlana Aleksandrovna Kuznetsova” went professional in the year 2003. Currently ranked no. 20, Kuznetsova has won two grand slam singles titles. The 25 year old all-around player also came in second at the 2006 French Open and the 2007 U.S. Open.
Svetlana faced Elena Dementieva, also from Russia, in the 2004 U.S. Open Women’s singles final. She outshone the other Russian 6-3, 7-5, two sets in a row. The following year, the athlete lost to Belgium’s Justine Henin at the 2006 Roland Garros. Henin conveniently won 6-4, 6-4.
Considered to be one of the most physically strong female tennis players, Kuznetsova came up against Belgian player Justine Henin a year later in 2007. Unfortunately, Henin took the title this time around as well. Svetlana lost 6-1, 6-3 in straight sets.
Two years down the line, Kuznetsova defeated fellow Russian Dinara Safina at the 2009 French Open singles final. She took the title 6-4, 6-2, two sets in a row.
Kuznetsova’s doubles career has fared well. The strong-server has qualified for 6 grand slam doubles finals out of which she has come out victorious at one. Kuznetsova was a runner up at the 2003 U.S. Open, the 2004 Australian Open, the 2004 French Open and the 2004 U.S. Open. She also came in second at the 2005 Wimbledon Championship.
It was however, the 2005 Australian Open that proved fruitful for the sportswoman. With Australia’s Alicia Molik on her side, Svetlana won the 2005 Australian Open Women’s doubles 6-3, and 6-4. The Americans, namely, Lindsay Davenport and Corina Morariu were at the losing end.
The athlete participated in all three grand slams that took place in the year 2010. However, the farthest she made it, was to the fourth round at the Australian Open. Nevertheless, considering the fact that the Russian performs considerably well on hard surfaced courts, one could expect some quality tennis from her in the U.S. Open 2010.
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