Anna Chakvetadze. 19 years. Russia. 13th place in the WTA ranking for 2006 (33rd in 2005).
Chakvetadze, perhaps, became the main discovery of 2006 in women's tennis. Thanks to victories at the first category tournaments in Moscow and Guangzhou, Anna was able to climb 20 lines of the rating, getting close to the top ten. The triumph at the Kremlin Cup was especially spectacular, where the young tennis player on the way to the title beat the more experienced and eminent compatriots - Safina, Dementieva, Petrova. Also in the past season, Anna won her first victory in the Russian national team. The success of Chakvetadze is another proof that women's tennis is gradually cooling down to the gyms. Anna is very technical, she sees the court perfectly and knows how to diversify her game in combination. If next year Chakvetadze passes a test of psychological stability, her future is seen as very successful.
Nicole Vaidishova. 17 years. Czech. 10 (15).
Despite a rather modest age, Nicole has been called the “new Maria Sharapova” for several years. Last season, the Czech tennis player continued to justify the advances made. The most memorable was her performance at Roland Garros, where the protégé of Nick Bolletieri reached the semi-finals for the first time in her career, beating the first racket of the world Amelie Moresmo in the fourth round. Having gained a decisive point in that match, Nicole threw a racket, knelt down and raised her eyes to the sky: “My dream came true,” she later explained her behavior. “And I wanted to thank the one who helped me for this.”
Powerful serve, aggressive, power play on the back line and the ability to diversify attacks also help Vaidishova win. If we return to the comparison with Sharapova, then the Czech is more technical, but worse prepared tactically. She still lacks stability - but with age this should pass.
Ana Ivanovich. 19 years. Serbia 14 (16).
Already at the age of nineteen, Ivanovich was called the most gifted tennis player on the tour, who in a couple of years will fight for first place in the ranking. Pleasantly surprised by the game, the Serb disappointed with increased attention to magazines with their own photos instead of training. In 2006, she won prestigious competitions in Marseille, but failed to go beyond the fourth round at any of the Grand Slam tournaments. How Ivanovich’s further career will go, will largely depend on how quickly the curiosity of his own person on the covers changes to an interest in statistics and other personal indicators of the game.
Michaela Krycek. 17 years. Holland. 35 (58).
The successes of the 1996 half-sister of Wimbledon champion Richard Krycek once again prove that good genes in sports are just as important as hard training. Michaela is only now approaching the leaders of world women's tennis, but she does it very persistently. In 2006, Krycek won tournaments in Hertogenbosch and Hobart, forcing fans in the stands to open their mouths from her spectacular two-handed backhand manner.
“I still cannot confidently hold the racket and stand on my feet when Moresmo, Sharapova or Henin-Ardenne come out to play against me,” Mikaela admits. - Before such matches, Richard usually calls me and gives me an installation. When I win my first Grand Slam tournament, I will dedicate this victory to him. ”
Vanya King. 17 years. USA. 60 (202).
Long and colorful talk about the rapid progress of this tennis player, who predicted a bright career on the tour five years ago, is not necessary. Just look at its current place in the ranking compared to last year. In 2006, she won her first career title, becoming the winner of the tournament in Bangkok in both individual and doubles, and also successfully debuted in the national team. To defeat Van helps brother Philip, who is a sparring partner of the Belgian Justine Henin-Ardenne. Possessing a rich technique, almost never makes two identical blows in a row, for which her style was called "lace weaving".
Andrey IVANTSOV