[TeeRexx]

With the stunning victory over Chanda Rubin, in the Bali final, it appear that Elena Dementieva may have finally come of age in her tennis career and is living up to her predicted potential.

Still points behind Myskina in the rankings, Dementieva may have become the better player and may be able to firmly seat herself in the top ten.

The Russian possesses most of the technical skills to be a top player, but has been mentally weak most of the time until her last few events, including the Open. Her biggest technical weakness is still a soft serve, but if she brings up the pace on that stroke, she will become a formidable force on the tour.

 

[gmak]

she's finally fulfilling her 2000 potential



keep on rocking alyona

 

[maryjane]

i don't know.there r a lot of russian players
and with different kimf of game but what is fo sure
is that she is talented and have a good game.
if she succeeds to be more continous she could be a danger for every player.

 

[Monsters]

Tier I in Moscow, then i say she's about done,
i have never seen her as a slam contender,
so i think if she wins Moscow, then
i say she will have reached the peak

 

[Gowza]

i don't know if she is the best of the russians talent wise but she is very talented and a very good player. i still don't think she is living up to her potential. when she got to the semis of the open in 2000 everyone expected every aspect of her game to develop from that but her serve still hasn't. she's certainly fullfilling more of her potential but she hasn't fullfilled it all yet.

 

[TeeRexx]

Elena is also a favorite of Russian fans who like their legs a bit bigger than Anna K.'s. :eek) :lol:

 

[thalle]

I think Elena and Vera atm, but I think Masha and Dinara will catch up later... Same for Kirilenko

 

[Dava]

Well Elena is now the Russian number one, and I have always thought her to be the best.

 

[Julian]

Elena has the attitude, fintess, movement, solid groundstrokes, she is developing into a solid doubles player which can help her with her volleys in singles..all she needs to do is improve that serve and she can be right behind the Belgians and Williamses.

 

[goldenlox]

The Russian title gets decided on the week of September 29th.

 

[*JR*]

Elena is also a favorite of Russian fans who like their legs a bit bigger than Anna K.'s. :eek) :lol:

(But there's still only one Baby Blue Eyes)!

 

[ghosts]

Elena

 

[DEETHELICK]

Nice post Tee!

But she has reached a career high this week (No. 8) and has overtaken Myskina to become Russian Number 1.

If Dementieva develops consistency on her 1st serve and just adds a bit more pace to the 2nd, she can go very very far and I even predict that she'll win a GS! Opponents are very wary of her, even Serena needed to scout her out from Venus at Wimby as she was very aware of what Elena can do.

Elena is on an upward rise, but as we saw with Dokic and Hantuchova, its very easy to stumble all the way back down. To be a champion, you have to continually improve. Hopefully Elena got her slump years out of her system and is on the way to gaining some glory!

 

[controlfreak]

She may be the Russian #1 now, but over the rest of her career, I don't think she will spend too many weeks in this position. There are just too many other younger players who are predicted to be top 10 / top 20.

 

[DEETHELICK]

A prediction is one thing, living up to that prediction is another.

I definitely agrre that there will be other Russians in the Top 10 soon, but the only girls who have Slam talent in them are Kournikova and Dementieva. The other girls all have one or more flaws that at the very top against a Belgian or Williams can be greatly exposed i.e. serve, movement, mental toughness, etc.

 

[TeeRexx]

Dementieva can be a top 6-10 player, but for her to get in that rarafied top 5 air is another thing.
She would definitely have to get that serve together and be mentally tough, but she is just owned by VENUS and I doubt that will ever change.

However, I believe she may be the best of the Russian bunch at this time.

 

[Zvonerevian]

When's the last time she's played Venus? (And she's beaten Venus before). If anything, I'm more annoyed with her recent abysmal losses to Capriati.

 

[Infiniti2001]

When's the last time she's played Venus? (And she's beaten Venus before). If anything, I'm more annoyed with her recent abysmal losses to Capriati.

Gee , your Venus obsession is getting old. Meanwhile this is her record against Venus



Venus Williams (USA) vs. Elena Dementieva (RUS)
1999-09-18 Fed Cup (WG-FL) RUS vs. USA Hardcourt RR Elena Dementieva (RUS) 1-6 6-3 7-6
2000-09-18 The Olympics Hardcourt F Venus Williams (USA) 6-2 6-4
2001-03-05 Indian Wells Hardcourt QF Venus Williams (USA) 6-0 6-3
2002-03-18 Miami Hardcourt QF Venus Williams (USA) 5-7 6-3 6-2
Venus Williams (USA) leads 3:1
Hard: Venus Williams (USA) leads 3:1

 

[bandabou]

Elena D is good....but that serve won´t get her anywhere.

Plus I don´t think any of the Russians really have the mental fortitude to contend for a slam.

 

[*JR*]

However, I believe she may be the best of the Russian bunch at this time.

OK, @ this time maybe. But the kids like Sharky, Vera Douchevina, Vika Kutuzova (OK, plays for UKR), and maybe "Kirilenkova" have the killer instinct. As do the emotionally fragile Vera Z. and the physically fragile Nadya if they're healthy and focused. And don't ova-look Sveta, the "new Barcelona Bumblebee". (Lina, Lena, and Dinara are still in the "potentially" category, IMO).