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Russian roulette

«FEATURES June 2009 | Roger Hudson

Vera Zvonerava's return to Eastbourne really is on the cards for 2009.

But she has yet to reveal her hand and it could be a gamble for the ever-cheerful Russian ace following her ankle injury - two torn ligaments comprising one full tear and one partial - before Wimbledon begins.

And on her wish list, when we spoke candidly at 2008 Eastbourne, included playing singles for Russia's Olympic squad. This dream swiftly became a reality when compatriot Maria Sharapova had to withdraw with a nightmare shoulder problem that saw the former Wimbledon champion forced out of the sport for some time.

But amicable ace Zvonerava also had on last year's hit list to make an impact on Britain's grass courts, only to be bounced out of back-to-back events in the second round. Zvonareva was surprisingly beaten by Ekaterina Makarova at Devonshire Park that was followed by a swift exit at Wimbledon to Tamarine Tanasugarn.

Although Zvonerava made no mistake when it came down to grasping her Olympic opportunity, which she seized with aplomb to grab bronze on her debut and make it an all Russian medal parade. She faced China's Na Li for the bronze, aware that Li had already claimed the scalps of Svetlana Kuznetsova and Venus Williams before bowing out in the semi-finals to Dinara Safina.

Yet the rest of the 2008 fell woefully short of Zvonerava's high expectations, despite her first year as one of the world's regular top 10 players on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.

Zvonareva admitted: "The most memorable moments were the Olympics, Kremlin Cup and WTA Tour Championships. Perhaps I'd like to win everywhere, but I've not managed it yet!"

Arguably Zvonareva's most disappointing defeat in 2008 was at the hands of Venus Williams in Doha's end-of-year Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Championship final, although the elegant Russian finished with a career high world ranking of no7 to complete a successful campaign.

And Zvonareva began 2009 in the same rich vein, with a sprightly spring in her step and a new-found confidence that soon scooped titles. She missed the Sydney International then raced to the Australian Open semi-final, her best grand slam showing, where Safina's power play proved too hot to handle.

Entering February at a career best top five position, she clinched her eighth singles title by claiming victory over Indian superstar Sania Mirza in the Thailand Open final at Pattaya City. But then was one of many victims to French ace Virginie Razzano, the surprise package, at the Dubai Open.

March saw Zvonareva capture the Indian Wells title by seeing off Serbian Ana Ivanovic - then the current French Open champion - and notched her inaugural singles-doubles sweep.

But disaster struck the following month. Zvonareva came unstuck against Razzano at the third round in Charleston, USA, and badly injured her right ankle. The original prognosis of an 'up to 12 week layoff' proving accurate with no shows at Roland Garros, Stuttgart, Rome and Madrid during the gruelling clay court season despite intensive medical treatment.

Eastbourne's fans will be holding their collective breath to see Zvonareva make a better impact that last year, although grass courts are notoriously hard on the ankles. And the Russian would surely prefer to have a decent run under the newly-covered Wimbledon Centre Court than risk making a tame comeback against so many talents in the first ever AEGON International tournament.

Perhaps I'd like to win everywhere, but I've not managed it yet!"

- Vera Zvonareva

Not just a pretty face