[nazzac]

I would like to take this time to discuss my favourite WTA player, and my 3rd favourite overall player (behind Del Potro and Tsonga), Yaroslava Shvedova

Now Slava has had a reassurgence in 2012. Injury ruined her 2011 season and sent her outside the top 200, but she's back now, finishing the year as the world number 29 and acheiving a career high ranking of 25 in October. She reached the Quarter Finals at Roland Garros, 4th round of Wimbledon and made history in the 3rd round of Wimbledon by winning the Golden set against Errani.

Slava is a very talented player, but her problems lie mentally. She's inconsistent and chokes a lot. And when chokes she chokes badly. Thats the main reason for her poor end to the season, and why she's underachieved (imo) so far in her career.

But after a great 2012 overall for Slava, How do you think she'll fare in 2013?

Will she fall back down the rankings? Will she finally break top 20? Maybe even top 10? Or Will she have a similar year to this one?

[Shvedbarilescu]

Often a good January can provide a player with the momentum to progress to better and better results. We saw this last year with Kerber and Errani, we saw it the year before with Petkovic and Kvitova. Conversely, a bad January can put pressure on a player and be the beginning of a slump. I say this particularly because having followed Slava for several years, she has all the characteristics of what I'd call a confidence player. She is one of those players for who success breeds success. Unfortunately the reverse is also true. Hence when Slava lost a couple of leads after Wimbledon last year, it got harder and harder for her to close up matches as that year progressed.

What I'm saying is, I don't know how Slava is going to do next year. But I honestly believe she needs a good start to put some of last year's losses behind her. With a good start, top 20, even top 10 is a real possibility. Equally a poor start and she could slip back. Let's see how January goes and I think the picture will become clearer.

[Mary Cherry.]

AWOL until Roland Garros, probably. I'd love for her to do well in Australia though.

[Shvedbarilescu]

Originally Posted by Mary Cherry.

AWOL until Roland Garros, probably. I'd love for her to do well in Australia though.

If Slava was AWOL until RG I would seriously be concerned for her results at RG as well. I don't believe she is going to find it easy defending her points going into that event if she goes into it in poor form.

[nazzac]

The tournament i'm most interested in for Slava is Wimbledon.

She showed great improvement on grass last year, and was unlucky not to go further into the tournament. With a good draw, and some decent form, she could do well at Wimbledon i reckon.

[The Dawntreader]

Player forum.

[Shvedbarilescu]

Originally Posted by nazzac

The tournament i'm most interested in for Slava is Wimbledon.

She showed great improvement on grass last year, and was unlucky not to go further into the tournament. With a good draw, and some decent form, she could do well at Wimbledon i reckon.

She could indeed. But last year, Slava came into Wimbledon on a confidence high after an outstanding Paris. That made a big difference I believe. Of course Slava could have another great Wimbledon but I wouldn't yet be confident of it. I really do think it will be important for her to build some early momentum next year. I don't want her going into the summer without some strong results over the early part of the year backing her up.

[nazzac]

Originally Posted by The Dawntreader

Player forum.

She doesn't have a forum yet. She has a thread, but thats different

[nazzac]

Originally Posted by Shvedbarilescu

She could indeed. But last year, Slava came into Wimbledon on a confidence high after an outstanding Paris. That made a big difference I believe. Of course Slava could have another great Wimbledon but I wouldn't yet be confident of it. I really do think it will be important for her to build some early momentum next year. I don't want her going into the summer without some strong results over the early part of the year backing her up.

Of course. Confidence is key for Slava, as she is a confidence player like you said. Thats my main concern about next year. Can she rebuild her confidence?

But if she is confident, i think thats an interesting slam.

[Shvedbarilescu]

Originally Posted by nazzac

Of course. Confidence is key for Slava, as she is a confidence player like you said. Thats my main concern about next year. Can she rebuild her confidence?

But if she is confident, i think thats an interesting slam.

I hope so. She should look at January as fresh start. And as for Wimbledon if she is clicking of course she has the ability to kick ass there. In all the time I have followed her I have never wavered from believing that, and I still do. But having the ability to do something and doing it aren't the same thing. That is why we need to cross our fingers very tightly.

[Noserer]

Average as always for this female Tipsy wanna be.

[coolfish1103]

She will probably maintain Top 30 or Top 50 but not going to go further much because I think she is still going to choke We can expect some amazing runs from her but then at crucial times her game is going to disappear. Maybe she can get to Top 20 for couple weeks then drop back down.

[wildemu]

If she keeps choking like the way she did since the uso, she may not have any living fans by RG

[Dr.T.R.Oll]

who cares shevdova is a mug who should retire for her 2 fans

[BH both wings]

She will stay the Greatest Player Of All Time. Too bad she will also stay the Even Greater Choker Of Even More Than All Times.