Dinara Safina
Size and strength are becoming a premium on the WTA tour, and Marat Safin’s little sister has both of them. She stunned Maria Sharapova in Paris by combining power and precision. She won the match by taking the last six games after being down 5-1 in the third set.

Before this year, I doubted Safina's commitment, but she’s in much better shape now, and is playing smarter.

Due to her large frame, she’ll never be fast, but if she keeps working on her technique she should be able to compensate for that by taking control of points early and not letting go.

It's my feeling she should make a strong run at the top 10 by year’s end after finishing 2005 ranked No. 20.

Shahar Peer
This spunky Israeli really came into her own this spring, upsetting Anastasia Myskina to win the Istanbul title, and nearly knocking off Martina Hingis at the French Open.

She’s very fast, has a terrific backhand, and also possesses a world of fight. This Israeli soldier (she’s currently doing two years of military service) seems well adjusted, displays tactical smarts, and isn’t intimidated easily.

After closing out last year ranked No. 45, watch for her to finish this year in the top 15, and move up from there in 2007.

Anna-Lena Groenefeld
After seven long years post Steffi Graf’s retirement, Germany finally has a women's player worth watching again.

Groenefeld is a tall blonde with a big serve and gigantic forehand. She doesn’t always play intelligently, but fought very well at the French Open in her run to the quarterfinals.

With a little more seasoning, and a greater willingness to charge the net, she should crack the top 10 in the near future. She wound up 2005 ranked No. 21.

Maria Kirilenko
What would an up-and-comer list be without an attractive Russian?

Dozens of Eastern Europeans are still coming in the junior ranks, but Kirilenko is finally breaking out, off the court and on.

Maria’s Sharapova's closest friend on the tour, Kirilenko has Barbie Doll looks, which is why she’s modeling Stella McCarthy’s Nike line.

On the court, she’s quick, has terrific hands, and fine court knowledge. She’s grittier than she looks, and while I don’t see her becoming a top shelf player, a few years in the top 20 are not out of the question.

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