Last year i fancied Peer, Vaidisova and Safarova to make their big breakthroughs this year. As usual i was wrong and its Chakvetadze and Ivanovic who have made their mark. Which youngsters do you think will impress next season? Im still backing Vaidisova to at least get in the top ten, and maybe make a slam final

Vaidisova has already been in the top ten... :shrug:

but not exactly a permanent feature. Im talking about the whole of next season here.

What do you think of the Radwankas etc? How do you fancy their chances against the top guns? I havent really seen much of them in action tbh

Aga Radwanksa and Agnes Szavay look like potentials to step up to the plate next year, I'm not talking top 10 or Grand Slam finals, but maybe a SF or QF or two and getting close to the top?

As for Vaidisova, I think she might have a return to form next year, though maybe she has peaked already?

As much as everyone seems to dislike her, I'm glad Anna Chakvetadze has emerged this year as she is ballsy and reminds me a bit of Nastya Myskina (who I sorely miss). Don't see her as a grand slam winner, but who knows? Might sneak a final if there are more uneven draws like this year.

I don't dislike Anna personally but I think she is just so over rated, sure she will get the odd good win and win some tier IIs but you just know that 9 times out of 10 against a big player she is going to bottle it... :shrug:

And I'm sorry but I sincerely hope she doesn't make any Slam finals, you just know she would lose no matter who she played... :shrug:

I think Nicole could have a good 2008! :D

And I know dl won't like it but I think Tati is wending her merry way to the top 10... :D

Golovin looks to be heading to the top 10.

She ended the year 13 despite injuries preventing her from having a good run at a slam.

Szavay looks like the real deal though she vanished at the end of the season with injuries/illness which is worrying.

I reckon Vaidisova will make it back to the top 10 as long as she plays the full year - her results were mainly top 10 quality last year but she was out with illness/injury too often.

Got to wonder about Peer - she seems to have stalled somewhat.

Radwanska & Bondarenko haven't been consistent enough as yet. They could end up like Krajicek who hasn't really fufilled her earlier promise.

Paszek is another one it will be interesting to watch next year.

Golovin is the most overrated of the entire bunch IMO. Cant ever seeing her win a Slam, still everyone raves about her. Her game isnt particulary impressive either, lacks any real technique on the serve or the backhand, which i feel you need to get a Slam or a big title.

Szavay really has the best groundstrokes i've seen in ages from someone of her age. Hits the ball so cleanly and just a great all-around player. See very few technical weaknesses that you saw with Vaidisova, Sharapova at her age. The illness/injury that has forced her out of the back-end of 07 is a worry, but i can see her just picking up right where she left and have an amazing 2008 season.

Vaidisova needs to get healthy, before we can see her as a contender for Tier 1's and Slams. For the past year, she's been riddled with wrist injuries/viruses etc. However, having watched her at Zurich and LInz, her game is improving rapidly, but needs to be injury-free as much as she can. If she's healthy, she's going to do so much damage with her serve-forehand combo.

Radwanska has all the shots, but has been notoriously inconsistent this year. for example, beats the defending champion at the US Open and then bombs out to Peer in the fourth round. The same happened in miami too after she beat Hingis............

Paszek has the game, but is lacking experience. Still prone to thrashings off the top players. Has a superb backhand though :ok:

dl, I think you over emphasise technique too much at times. having a good technique is all well and good but it's not the be all and end all IMHO.
There are plenty of good players, players who have even won Slams who when you breakdown their individual shots aren't always the best in terms of technique... :shrug:

Jan Silva most definately. 32 majors at least ! ;)

:yikes:

Whatever Choka, but technique can determine a great player from a good player. i mean look at Justine versus Kim. Greater technique ;)

Obviously there are other factors, but technique is important, otherwise you wouldnt be able to hit a ball over the net roflmao

well yeah I know that but what I'm saying is that just because someone hasn't got a textbook technique, it doesnn't necessarily preclude them from winning Slams or other big tennis events... :shrug:

I didn't think you walked that side of the street Liam... roflmao

I never said textbook, but you have to have realiable enough technique regardless................

Though usually it's in the 'tete' where the best players are decided ;)

:ok:

roflmao roflmao roflmao

I agree entirely with this.

:yikes: :yikes:

my mid life crisis must be starting :(

You got the hot flushes and mood swings yet? roflmao

It does look like those may be the contenders...but I would really like those who showed their faces when the others were tired..ie the likes
of Virginie Razzano... and V. Azarenko to all get in the mix as well......

Even the other french girl.. Aravane Rezai....(I read somewhere she is of iranian ancestory....just wanted to mention it..) ..they could make it more exciting...

Paszek has some 'balls'...I like her attitude..just a bit more maturity....

Krajicek..soo much promise...leaving everyone wanting and forever waiting.... but Szavay..yes she does look like she means real business...there is something unassuming and purposeful about her...

But also new blood in the sense that new people fighting for slam titles...credible efforts at least... I love Justine...but I wouldn't want it to be so predictable as it was this year...at least Ana Ivanovic or even Svetlana for once in their careers should make me feel they can win the title from the get go.......and stop all the fading away they do so often.

As for Jelena... I actually think she needs just alittle bit of a mean streak in her persona...and for crying out loud....pace herself well and play fewer matches.... ..but maybe she gets her kicks from playing so many ..so I won't push it...