10 standout stars of Russian women's tennis

#3 Elena Dementieva

Elena Dementieva is a two-time grand slam runner-up

Elena Dementieva was the most consistent performer among the Russians, underlined by her constant presence in the Top 10 rankings from 2003 until her retirement in 2010.

She would announce her arrival in world tennis by upsetting Venus Williams in a Fed Cup match in 1999. A year later, she would become the first Russian woman to reach the US Open semifinals in addition to capturing the Olympic Silver medal at the 2000 Olympics. She would be named WTA’s Most Improved Player that year and would overtake Anna Kournikova as the top ranked Russian player in 2001, a position that Kournikova had held for the previous four years.

Dementieva would capture the doubles title at the year-end WTA Tour Championships in 2002 partnering Janette Husarova and reach a career high No:6 in doubles in 2003.

She would reach two grand slam finals in the famous 2004 season, going on to be thrashed by Myskina at the French Open after committing ten double faults. She would be beaten by compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova in the US Open final that season as well.

She would bounce back in the 2005 season where she would almost single handedly help Russia retain the Fed Cup, winning both her singles matches as well as the decisive doubles with Dinara Safina in the final. How ever, faliure to reach another Grandslam final would be frustrating for Dementieva who would drop out of the year end Top 10 rankings for the first time in five years in 2007.

The Muscovite would work on her game, improving her most apparent weakness – her serve – and have a memorable 2008 season where she would win the Gold medal for Russia at the Beijing Olympics.

Dementieva would reach a career high world ranking of Number 3 in 2009. She announced her retirement after a loss to Francesca Schiavone at the 2010 WTA Tour Championships and ended her career with 16 WTA tour titles,having reached at least the semifinals of all Grandslam tournaments.