Age: 22
Lives: Moscow
Plays: Right-handed, double-handed backhand
Grand slam titles: One (French Open 2004)
Record at Wimbledon: 2003-fourth round, 2002-third round, 2001-second round, 2000-third round
Graduated to the big league with her emphatic French Open triumph. Athletic, consistent and well suited to grass, she spearheads what is likely to be a very strong Russian challenge.
Showed an instant liking for grass by reaching the third round on her Wimbledon debut in 2000 and has steadily improved each year since.
Tantrums of her earlier days have been replaced by devilish opportunism and, significantly given how often they tend to meet these days, she has a psychological edge over her compatriots.