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Serena, Sharapova, Jankovic Headline WTA Charleston
Posted on April 14, 2008
CHARLESTON, SC, USA -- Jelena Jankovic returns to the site of one her greatest triumphs this week to defend her title at the Family Circle Cup. However, with four of her fellow Top 10 stars also in attendance, including last week's Amelia Island champion Maria Sharapova, the high-flying Serb is sure to have her work cut out at the $1.34-million, Tier I event.
For world No.5 Jankovic, 2007 was something of a breakthrough year, as the 23-year-old from Belgrade amassed a staggering 72 victories en route to four Sony Ericsson WTA Tour titles -- including a maiden Tier I success on the green clay of Charleston. This consistency has been carried into the new campaign, with a runner-up finish in Miami, as well as semifinal runs at the Australian Open, Dubai and Indian Wells already to her name. Prior to her title run 12 months ago, Jankovic had only once ventured beyond the first round at the Family Circle Tennis Center, but if she continues in her current rich vein of form few would bet against her going all the way once more.
No.2 seed Maria Sharapova has without doubt been the standout player on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour since the turn of the year, storming to her third Grand Slam at the Australian Open before capturing a further two titles at Doha and Amelia Island. The hard-hitting Russian's only previous visit to South Carolina ended in a first round defeat five years ago and she will be eager to banish those memories with a championship run this week.
Sharapova's compatriot Anna Chakvetadze has endured an opening three months of the season riddled with inconsistencies. After winning a mere two matches during her opening three tournaments, the 20-year-old Muscovite proceeded to capture a seventh career title at Paris [Indoors], before suffering premature exits at Doha, Miami and Amelia Island. The No.3 seed will be making her debut in South Carolina this week and if she can recapture her best form then she is more than capable of going deep into the tournament.
Another Russian amongst the pre-event favorites is the in-form Elena Dementieva. After a slow start to the season the world No.8 has been in fine form of late, winning 10 of her last 12 matches on Tour and capturing the Dubai title in the process. Dementieva is also no stranger to success at the Family Circle Cup -- finishing runner-up in 2005 -- and possesses the ability to go all the way this time around.
No.5 seed Serena Williams is another player to have experienced final heartache in Charleston, having fallen at the last hurdle five years ago. Like Dementieva, the American star has been in a rich vein of form of late, winning her past two tournaments -- in Bangalore and Miami -- and is sure to be involved come championship weekend. Also among the 16 seeds are France's Marion Bartoli (No.6), two-time runner-up Patty Schnyder (No.7), Jankovic's victim in last year's final Dinara Safina (No.8) and another in-form Russian in the shape of Vera Zvonareva (No.9).
The Family Circle Cup was first staged in 1973 when Rosie Casals defeated Nancy Richey-Gunter for the title in three sets. The following 34 years have seen a whole host of stellar names capture the prestigious trophy, including multiple winners Chris Evert, Tracey Austin, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Gabriela Sabatini, Arantxa S�nchez-Vicario, Conchita Mart�nez, Martina Hingis and Justine Henin. This year's victor will receive $196,900, while the losing finalist takes home $100,000.
-- WTA
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