5 of the 8 players who played YEC last year are behind the cut-off in the race.

The race now is led by Lindsay Davenport

The 3 players who are leading the race played last year
Amelie Mauresmo
Justine Henin-Hardenne
Anastasia Myskina

Followed by 3 star players, almost the perfect YEC lineup.
Venus Williams
Serena Williams
Maria Sharapova
--------------------------------------------
Svetlana Kuznetsova (trails by 100 pts)


Last year's players who are behind the cut-off
9. Elena Dementieva (+250)
10. Jennifer Capriati (+300)
13. Kim Clijsters (+600)
18. Ai Sugiyama (+900)
~50. Chanda Rubin (need more than 1000 pts)

You may say the year is still young, but Ai will have to play like crazy to qualify. Chanda is pretty much out of the race.
Kim is not coming back until US Open, whidch means, she might not even make the cut-off if she defends her finalist points. The WC will probably go to the defending champion Kim Clijsters. But it'll be interesting to see how Jennifer is going to have to do to have a chance to defend her semifinal points in YEC.

that is interesting. But Justine is likely to plateau and Venus, Serena, and Elena will make big gains during the hardcourt season.

I think it'll be like this after the open.

1. Lindsay
2. Myskina
3. Mauresmo
4. Venus
5. Serena
6. Justine
7. Elena
8. Maria Sharapova

That'd be an awfully good YEC if you ask me

that is interesting. But Justine is likely to plateau and Venus, Serena, and Elena will make big gains during the hardcourt season.

I think it'll be like this after the open.

1. Lindsay
2. Myskina
3. Mauresmo
4. Venus
5. Serena
6. Justine
7. Elena
8. Maria Sharapova

That'd be an awfully good YEC if you ask me
I am quite sure that Kuznetsova will play YEC this year. Her current average per tournament this year is above 150 points per tournament. She isi scheduled to play at least 8 more tournaments, and even if she averages 100 points per tournament, her total will be well above 2500, it's hard to see a player with that kind of total not qualifying, especially given that one or two injury withdrawals from top players are almost a sure bet these days for any tournament,

well Sveta seems to be in a good position, but I am not sure, she seems to be slumping after Eastbourne. mmcdonald list will be a dream list for the tournament organiser

According to the GE list, Kim is in #1 position, and Elena D is #8.
I thought Kim was the more popular one, despite the appearance:).