TR.NET'S 2004 WOMEN'S TOP 20

Seven Russians, two Italians, one Belgian …
and an old-time American on top

By Matthew Cronin, TennisReporters.net

Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA

Fred Mullane/Camerawork USA

Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA

Fred Mullane/Camerawork USA

Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA

These rankings follow the year-end WTA rankings.

1. Lindsay Davenport: Her knee nearly blew out in June, but the SoCal player still ended year at the top. But she'd trade all those seven mid-range titles for just one more Slam. Her last chance will likely come in Australia.

2. Amelie Mauresmo: Deserves all the accolades in the world for becoming first Frenchwoman to attain No. 1, but if she never wins a Slam, the Hall of Fame is out of the question. It's '05 or bust.

3. Anastasia Myskina: When she wants something, she'll nearly die trying like at Roland Garros and Fed Cup. When she's out of sorts, like in NY and Athens, she gives in too rapidly. However, she's by far the most interesting significant Russian off-court.

4. Maria Sharapova: After a mind-blowing '04, this 17-year-old became one of the popular teens on the planet. Everyone will be gunning for her in '05, but she may have bigger weapons.

5. Svetlana Kuznetsova: At one moment in time in NY, she looked like a multiple Slam champ to be. But after that, the super-jock showed she's still mentally fragile. She needs a dose of her sometimes coach Arantxa Sanchez Vacario's mental toughness.

6. Elena Dementieva: Must we mention her wounded duck serve? Yes, but only if we can note that her vicious groundies got her to two Slam finals. BTW: Why was she not on the Fed Cup final team?

7. Serena Williams: Reality splashed coldly on this once dominant No. 1, who felt the wrath of a bad knee and an improved field that was gunning for her. But if she puts her mind to it, she could regain No. 1 in '05.

8. Justine Henin-Hardenne: A relentless virus took her out of action for much of the year, but she still managed to win the Aussie Open and Olympics. The Belgian is that good. Still, until she plays three months without a reoccurrence of her illness, it will be hard to like her '05 prospects.

9. Venus Williams: It seems like ages ago that she was the tour's most feared player. Now, she's just another player with a problematic second serve and forehand. Without a new coach, she'll be stuck in place.

10. Jennifer Capriati: At 28, she's only focusing on the Slams , which left her a bit out of sorts. She was terrific against Serena and chokey against the Russians. This yearwill be her last real shot at Slam No. 4.

11. Vera Zvonareva: Ms. "Crying Game" has brutish groundies and terrific speed, but still a junior's hold on her emotions. If she can learn to take it easy on herself, she has a shot at the Top 5.

12. Nadia Petrova: It used to be that all talented Russians were without singles titles. Now, it's only this underachiever. At least she developed a big-time doubles game.

13. Alicia Molik: A breakout season for the broad-shouldered Aussie, who will soon be making her countrywomen forget Kerry Melville.

14. Patty Schnyder: Swiss lefty is always in the hunt, but her off-court life is still too unwieldy to allow her to progress more.

15. Elena Bovina: Is it possible for a 6-foot-3-inch Russian to quietly sneak her way into the Top 20? Yes, when there are six big Russian gamers ahead of her.

16. Paola Suarez: Her six doubles titles and No. 1 dubs ranking are more impressive than her singles results, but the Argentine is as cagey as they come. Expect a drop in singles.

17. Ai Sugiyama: A mediocre year for Japan's finest gal, as troubles at home took her mind off court. She's hoping Kim Clijsterscomes back soon so she can bag more doubles Slams.

18. Karolina Sprem: As Venus discovered at Wimbledon, this 20-year-old Croat is a fearless slugger, but rarely has aplan B. Without one, even an Iva Majoli-like career is out of the question.

19. Francesca Schiavone: Italian always entertaining due to her high octane play and colorful style, but is way too erratic for the big time.

20. Silvia Farina-Elia: That this Italian's still competitive at age 32 shows just how important it is play with variety and think deeply on court. With her tireless legs, she may never retire.