[Gastonleruanich]

The one who is horribly misplaced is Kuznetsova. Ouch.

I think all of these women (except for the aforementioned) have some bragging rights in different respects.

Jankovic was the most consistent. But she still came up wanting at the big stage...

Serena had a great year, but she continues to disappoint at important times. Ditch the ego. Or at least try to balance it for a change. Humility is underrated.


What an incredible year for Dinara, even if it ended badly. She had a breakthrough year, and I really hope she can sustain her success into the years to come. And even though it seems like she's been around longer than God, she has a lot of years left. And I think she's only beginning to tap the depth and breadth of her potential. Feet, however, will always be a bit of an issue. But she can overcome that and make it less of a liability.

Elena had a very respectful year, no question about that. Her serving issues are behind her, at least for now, and she's got a tremendous amount of potential to keep going forward. I really want her to win a major. I really, really, really want that. And I think she can do it.

Ivanovic epitomizes the best and worst that a player can put together in one year. She had a fantastic start, hurt her thumb, lost her confidence, and then ran away from the YEC with her tail between her legs. She needs to regroup in a big way. I think she can do it.

Venus had a really great last 6 months of the year. But as much as I love her, given her first 5 months of the year, I just can't give her the nod. I mean, Kvitova? Please. But she won Wimbledon, the YEC, a respectable Tier 2 with a nice draw, and had a shouldacouldawoulda in the U.S. Open quarters. She has GOT to figure out the first 5 months of the season, though.

Bepa, like Dinara, had a major breakthrough year. Outstanding stuff, and she can still go higher, I think. But her breakdown after getting broken after breaking after getting broken today shows what her liability is... Though, through the tears, she still managed to hit a lot of balls that would have been screaming winners against a lot of players. I'm still optimistic. She SHOULD go into 2009 with some confidence.

Maria? The shoulder scares the bejeezus outta me. I worry about her future. She needs a monstrous Melbourne or else she's going to be wreaking havoc on every draw she enters for quite some time.... Jankovic/Maria in second round at the Paris Indoors? Please don't let that happen.

Take my senseless ramblings for what they're worth... Which ain't much.