Right this very second? Venus, Marion, Justine, Ana, Jelena
In the last 2 months? Justine, Serena, Venus, Ana, Jelena
Over the course of the whole year? Justine, Serena, Jelena, Sveta, Ana
I like the way you did it the best. Sorry, but it still doesn't feel right saying Venus is top 5 on the year. I wouldn't be surprised if I end up thinking she is at the end of the year, but right now it's basically one great result over a semi-decent field and she's top 5 on the year Then again, it is a slam and after the obvious four (Serena, Justine, Ivanovic, and Jankovic) the rest of the tour hasn't done anything as impressive as winning Wimbledon- so on second thought, she squeezes in to the 5th spot.
The top batch:
Justine
Serena
Jankovic
Ivanovic
(Venus)
The next batch:
Venus
Sharapova
Kuznetsova
Vaidisova
I can't say Venus is Top 5 this year because she has only two substantial results this year and one just happens to be Wimbledon. Later on this year, she most probably will be but right now she isn't. Nicole has had a dodgy year in tournaments but has had a good run in the Slams this year. Sveta has been playing solid and deserves to win a title soon.
In order:
1. Justine - has had the best, most consistently good year and has made the semifinals or better at her last 5 slams. I was pretty confident that she would win Wimbledon or at least make the finals, but her semi against Bartoli begs the question not of her mental toughness, but of her belief in her ability to achieve on grass.
2. Ivanovic - has been one of the most consistent performers as well since USOS last year and has improved that form - winning a Tier I, making the final of another and a GS final along with a Wimbledon semi. Her match against Nicole at Wimbledon showed her mental toughness (she was completely down and out in the match AND it's tough playing an opponent who is choking).
3. Venus - has had a couple of good performances this year, most notably at Wimbledon. Whether she can keep the form up is another question, but her recognition of the mistake she made after playing so well in Memphis and not playing for ages should give her fans hope.
4. Serena - started off brilliantly, but has faded a little. Her refusal to play a lot of events to keep up her AO form has led to her difficult draws in RG and Wimbledon. If she plays more and gets the ranking up, she might have an easier way through at the USO.
5. Jelena - has won 2 Tier Is this year and made her second GS semi where she was unfortunate enough to draw Justine. In retrospect, a good run at Wimbledon because she pushed Bartoli more than anyone before Venus did away with her. Her Mixed Doubles title should have also given her more confidence in varying her game with netplay, and also serving out a match to win a GS.
Drama: Serena(AO, mps in Miami, Slices in Fo,and of course what happened in wimbly), Venus (All the Choking, wimbledon), JJ (Her normal antics, Doubles with Jamie M...Smiling in the middle of the point, Love match with J.M), Marion(shes a great perfromer and knows how to get the crowd behind her), Brie(will she get bageled? Breadsticked? Win her 3rd match?)
Tennis: Serena, Justine, JJ, Venus, Ana
I really disagree with putting Serena top five. She's done nothing extraordinary since winning Miami and has not even made it past the quarters of any event since Miami. She's been consistent, though. If we're talking about the whole year, though, then she's definitely #1 or #2, but the question is at this moment, so...
I really disagree with putting Serena top five. She's done nothing extraordinary since winning Miami and has not even made it past the quarters of any event since Miami. She's been consistent, though. If we're talking about the whole year, though, then she's definitely #1 or #2, but the question is at this moment, so...