Bud Collins

They are pretty much flying under the radar at this point in their pro careers, but it may not be too long before their names become well known, and they take their place among the elite in women's tennis.

They are my super six most promising up-and-coming players on the WTA tour, and among them is American Jamea Jackson, who began playing tennis at age 8, and who certainly has athletic bloodlines as her father, Ernest, is a former NFL cornerback.

Let's look at this group of players who someday soon could all be making names for themselves.

Jamea Jackson
The United States is having a lot of trouble finding teenagers who look like they have a very bright future in professional tennis. But the U.S. might have a gem in Jackson, whose favorite playing surface is hardcourts.

The 5-foot-4 fireball, who was born in Atlanta and who resides in Bradenton, Fla., has improved a ton this year. At this year's French Open, Jackson was a 6-1, 6-1 first-round winner over Zi Yan of China.

In the second round, she fell to Anna-Lena Groenefeld, 6-4, 6-1. Jackson can hold her head high after that loss since Groenefeld, who finished last season ranked No. 21 in the world, made it all the way to the Paris quarterfinals before losing to Justine Henin-Hardenne.

Jackson has gotten to the point where she is making better use of her strengths. The 19-year-old is very fast, and likes the big occasion, carrying the U.S. team to victory in Federation Cup play against Germany in April.

She did so by opening up with a three-set win over Groenefeld, and then a straight-set victory over Martina Muller.

Jackson may never put up numbers like the Williams sisters, Lindsay Davenport or Jennifer Capriati, but if she keeps up her steady progress, and adds a little more variety to her game, the top 25 isn’t out of the question by next year.

Nicole Vaidisova
The 17-year-old Czech should have reached the Roland Garros final, but lost her composure late in the second set of her semifinal against Svetlana Kuznetsova.

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Vaidisova’s tall, limber, and has a big first serve. She also can crack her forehand, has a consistent backhand, and already owns six titles, which is a great indicator of top-five talent.

Vaidisova needs to work on her decision-making and her volley, but there’s no reason why she shouldn’t end this year in the top 10, and make a run at the top-five next year. She certainly got a lot of people's attention in Paris.

Let's she what she does at Wimbledon, where last year she debuted and made it to the third round before losing to -- who else -- Kuznetsova.

Ana Ivanovic
This tall and strong Serbian teenager has huge groundstrokes, a nice disposition, and smart parents. She delights in facing challenges, and doesn’t seem to have any fear of the big stage.

Ivanovic upset Amelie Mauresmo at the 2005 French Open, and has cracked the top 20 in 2006, but her poor movement, and her balance are troubling her.

But once she grows into her big frame, she should push most members of the top 10.

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