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Meet the new powers of women’s tennis

It happens every single year. A handful of the most famous tennis players in the world get eliminated in the early stages of Wimbledon – and we’re left to figure out who the heck the remaining players are.

30/06/11 209 Views No Comments

Reproduced with permission from Business Insider>

IT’S WOMEN’S SEMI-FINALS day at Wimbledon. And there isn’t a Williams sister to be seen.

Victoria Azarenka is currently playing Petra Kvitova in the first semi-final on Centra Court, while favourite Maria Sharapova will take on Germany’s Sabine Lisicki.

Each of these athletes are at least under the age of 26, but a few of them have found their way into the world top 10 rankings.

Meet the new powers of women’s tennis
1 / 8

  • Dominika Cibulková uses her speed to wear down opponents

    From: Bratislava, Slovokia Age: 22 World Ranking: 24 Bio: Her appearance in the semifinals of the French Open is her best showing to date, but Cibulková is currently playing some great tennis. She may be the fastest player left in the women's game, and when she's on, she looks like a female Rafael Nadal.

  • Sabine Lisicki has rebounded from numerous injuries to become a top player

    From: Troisdorf, Germany Age: 21 World Ranking: 62 Bio: Sabine has found her form ever since missing most of 2010 with multiple injuries. She's back in the world's top 100 thanks in part to her strong, although sometimes inconsistent, serve

  • Marion Bartoli on-court mannerisms and solid return game makes her a special player

    From: Le-Puy-en-Velay, Auvergne, France Age: 26 World Rank: 9 Bio: Bartoli has made a name for herself with her somewhat spastic motions on the court, but she should also be noticed for her game. Her return game is probably her best attribute, and she showed that when she took down Serena Williams.

  • Petra Kvitová is one of the most powerful women on tour

    From: Fulnek, Czech Republic Age: 21 World Rank: 8 Bio: A lefty with a serve few can match, Petra Kvitová is a force to be reckoned with. She is no stranger to Wimbledon, having made the semi-finals two years in a row.

  • Tamira Paszek's mighty serve should get your attention

    From: Dornbim, Austria Age: 20 World Ranking: 80 Bio: Paszek has been playing tennis ever since she was a toddler growing up in Austria. She has a strong serve and solid forehand that can give opposing players fits.

  • Victoria Azarenka should be considered one of the top players in all of women's tennis

    From: Minsk, Belarus Age: 21 World Ranking: 5 Bio: There are very few holes in Victoria Azarenka's game. Her serve is fantastic, her ground strokes may be the best in the business. The only real question is if she can handle herself in clutch situations. Her superb Wimbledon performances have confirmed her potential.

  • Tsvetana Pironkova is no slouch on grass

    From: Plovdiv, Bulgaria Age: 23 World Rank: 33 Bio: Pironkova currently holds the distinction of being the best Bulgarian women's tennis player. Her game is well suited for grass courts, and she showed that when she defeated Venus Williams soundly.

  • Bonus: Maria Sharapova is still young and can still bring the thunder

    From: Nyagan, Russia Age: 24 World Ranking: 6 Bio: Ever since winning Wimbledon at the age of 17, Maria Sharapova has been one of the most recognizable stars in all of sports. If her shoulder holds up, she is likely to be the heir to one of the thrones previously occupied by Venus and Serena. Current world number one Caroline Wozniacki is the other contender.
  • From: Bratislava, Slovokia Age: 22 World Ranking: 24 Bio: Her appearance in the semifinals of the French Open is her best showing to date, but Cibulková is currently playing some great tennis. She may be the fastest player left in the women's game, and when she's on, she looks like a female Rafael Nadal.
  • From: Troisdorf, Germany Age: 21 World Ranking: 62 Bio: Sabine has found her form ever since missing most of 2010 with multiple injuries. She's back in the world's top 100 thanks in part to her strong, although sometimes inconsistent, serve
  • From: Le-Puy-en-Velay, Auvergne, France Age: 26 World Rank: 9 Bio: Bartoli has made a name for herself with her somewhat spastic motions on the court, but she should also be noticed for her game. Her return game is probably her best attribute, and she showed that when she took down Serena Williams.
  • From: Fulnek, Czech Republic Age: 21 World Rank: 8 Bio: A lefty with a serve few can match, Petra Kvitová is a force to be reckoned with. She is no stranger to Wimbledon, having made the semi-finals two years in a row.
  • From: Dornbim, Austria Age: 20 World Ranking: 80 Bio: Paszek has been playing tennis ever since she was a toddler growing up in Austria. She has a strong serve and solid forehand that can give opposing players fits.
  • From: Minsk, Belarus Age: 21 World Ranking: 5 Bio: There are very few holes in Victoria Azarenka's game. Her serve is fantastic, her ground strokes may be the best in the business. The only real question is if she can handle herself in clutch situations. Her superb Wimbledon performances have confirmed her potential.
  • From: Plovdiv, Bulgaria Age: 23 World Rank: 33 Bio: Pironkova currently holds the distinction of being the best Bulgarian women's tennis player. Her game is well suited for grass courts, and she showed that when she defeated Venus Williams soundly.
  • From: Nyagan, Russia Age: 24 World Ranking: 6 Bio: Ever since winning Wimbledon at the age of 17, Maria Sharapova has been one of the most recognizable stars in all of sports. If her shoulder holds up, she is likely to be the heir to one of the thrones previously occupied by Venus and Serena. Current world number one Caroline Wozniacki is the other contender.

Read more at Business Insider>

Tsonga stuns Federer, as Djokovic topples Tomic in Wimbledon quarters>

Nadal to face semi-final clash with Murray at Wimbledon>

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