Vera Zvonareva
Seventh seed Vera Zvonareva
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Thursday, 18, Jun 2009 12:04
Date of birth: 07/09/1984 (Age: 24).
Nationality: Russian
Height: 5ft 7in
Weight: 130lbs
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned professional: 2000
Current WTA singles ranking: 7
Best Wimbledon performance: Fourth round - 2003, 2004
Grass court pedigree
Since turning pro at the tender age of 15, Moscow-born Zvonareva has picked up one title on grass - the DFS Classic in Birmingham in 2006. A smattering of Wimbledon wins have never seen her progress beyond the fourth round, which is disappointing given the volatile nature of the women's game.
In her first match since returning from torn ankle ligaments, at the Aegon International, she lost in three sets to Amelie Mauresmo in the first round.
Wimbledon seeding: 7th
Chances of SW19 success?
The injuries that necessitated that comeback match against Mauresmo also kept Zvonareva out of the French Open, a crushing blow given her best-ever grand slam performance in Melbourne earlier in the year where she reached the semis.
Last year excepted, the last couple of seasons have been all about injuries for the 24-year-old, with her form and ranking dipping prior to a renaissance in the last 12 months.
A steady but sometimes unspectacular player who prefers life on the hard courts, Zvonareva is nevertheless among a group of women fully capable of reaching the latter stages at any grand slam.
Prediction: Second round
Those aforementioned injuries are her biggest obstacle to success, however, with the first-round exit at Mauresmo's hands at Eastbourne a firm warning that her best was some way off.
Expect the Russian to breeze through the early opposition but struggle almost immediately in the latter rounds, where an early exit could allow her to concentrate on a very decent shot at a doubles title.
Matthew Champion