Yaroslava Shvedova Яросла́ва Шве́дова (KAZ, Tennis)

The display of raw emotion punctuates the pursuit of sport. I admire athletes who do not shirk away from their emotions, and instead display what they are feeling in a bluntly, honest way. Yaroslava Shvedova Яросла́ва Шве́дова is one of those athletes.

Shvedova at the Citi Open Tennis tournament. (Photo from Keith Allison)

After an injury-plagued 2011 season, the Russian-born Kazakh barged into the quarter-finals of the French Open. When she defeated Carla Suárez Navarro in the third round, Shvedova shed tears of joy. In a post-match WTA interview, she explained her reaction: "It has been so tough to come back after losing everything. I was so happy to achieve the same results as I did in my peak in 2010. I cried because it has been very hard work, but this makes all the hard work worthwhile."

The Kazakh went on to beat defending champion Li Na, but faltered against Petro Kvitova in the quarterfinals. 

Since turning professional in 2002, Shvedova has won one WTA and three ITF titles. In 2010, her ranking rose to as high as 29th, but fell after she succumbed to injury. She is currently ranked 65th overall, after her quarterfinals run in Roland Garros.

Sources:

Wikipedia

WTA interview

Christina McHale (USA, Tennis)

The young Christina McHale could be the United States' next big tennis star.

Christina McHale at a USTA event. (Photo from Charlie Cowins)

McHale is ranked 32nd in the WTA list, but has claimed the scalps of several illustrious names since turning professional in 2009. Christina had beated former World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki twice, the most recent coming in Eastbourne this year. She had also triumphed against Svetlana Kuznetsova, 2011 Wimbledon Champion Petra Kvitova, Daniela Hantuchová, and Marion Bartoli.

To date, she has won just one ITF title in the singles and three in the doubles. She has yet to hoist a WTA crown. The 20-year old represented the United States at the Pan-American Games last year, taking home silver and bronze medals in the doubles and singles, respectively. In Grand Slam tournaments, the New Jersey-born right hander has taken part in three (US Open, Wimbledon, and the French Open). Her best finish was a third round appearance at SW19 last year. 

With her strong showing against Wozniacki, McHale might just spring a surprise in 2012.

Source:
Wikipedia

Additional Link:
WTA Profile

Zheng Jie 鄭潔 (CHN, Tennis)

Zheng Jie 鄭潔, together with Li Na 李娜, are the pioneers of women's professional tennis in China. Zheng is a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist. 

Zheng at the 2010 U.S. Open. (Photo from Robbie Mendelson)

As an unseeded entry in 2008, Zheng made it as far as the last four in Wimbledon, becoming the first wild card to achieve the feat in the Ladies' Competition. En route to her breakout performance, Zheng had beaten 2006 French Open Champion Ana Ivanovic and the talented Nicole Vaidisova. She eventually crashed out of the competition, losing to Serena Williams. 

At the 2010 Australian Open, the mouth-watering prospect of an all-Chinese final was in the books, as both Zheng and Li Na made it as far as the semifinals. Zheng and Li, however, lost against Justin Henin and Serena Williams, respectively.

Zheng is currently ranked 27th in the world. Her highest ever placing was 15th back in 2009. To date, the Chinese tennis player has amassed 341 singles victories, 4 WTA titles, and 4 ITF crowns.

Source:

Wikipedia