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

Angelique Kerber (GER, Tennis)

Angelique Kerber is a top-ranked, German tennis player. The 24-year old turned professional in 2003, and has won 2 WTA and 11 ITF titles. 

Kerber at the 2011 U.S. Open. (Photo from robbiesaurus)

She is currently ranked 8th in the world, the highest in her career. In Grand Slam tournaments, Kerber has performed best on the hard court and clay, having reached as far as the quarterfinals at the French Open and the semifinals at the U.S. Open.

She barged into the top 100 the same year she turned pro. It took some time, however, for Kerber to hoist a WTA crown. In 2010, she battled Mariana Duque Mariño at the 2010 Copa Sony Ericsson Colsanitas, but faltered in straight sets. 

The German's robust global ranking is a sign that she is nearing the peak of her game. True enough, she has proved her mettle, notching victories over 2011 French Open Champion Li Na, former top-ranked player Jelena Jankovic, and Caroline Wozniacki. Angelique finally triumphed at a WTA tour event this year. Despite being seeded ninth, Kerber took out the experienced Marion Bartoli in a three-set nail-biter. 

Source:

Wikipedia

Additional Link:

Kerber's WTA Profile

Ana Ivanovic Ана Ивановић (SRB, Tennis)

Ana Ivanovic Ана Ивановић caught my fancy at the 2006 French Open. She was an exquisite beauty that stood out amongst a sea of lovely faces. Even if she crashed out in the 3rd round, against hometown bet Amélie Mauresmo, I've found my new tennis crush!

 

 

Photos from Wikimedia

Ana finally won Roland Garros in 2008, claiming the scalps of Petra Cetkovská, Patty Schnyder, and compatriot Jelena Janković (who was then the world no.3). The Serb brought down Russian Dinara Safina in straight sets at the French Open final. 

Prior to her Roland Garros victory, Ivanovic made it as far as the Wimbledon semifinals in 2007. The 2008 French Open was the culmination of her gradual ascent to the summit of women's tennis. She could not seem to replicate her form in the coming years. A slew of early Grand Slam exits marred her career. 

Ivanovic has regained a semblance of her old self in 2012, as she barged into the world top 15 rankings for the first time in three years. She had notched victories over former world no. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and 2010 French Open Champion Francesca Schiavone.

As the festivities in Roland Garros unfold, I wish the best for Ana Ivanovic!

Sources: 
Wikipedia
Ana's WTA Profile

Additional link:
Ana's Official Website

Aravane Rezaï (FRA, Tennis Beauty)

Aravane Rezaï is one of professional tennis' rising stars. The French No. 2 senior Grand Slam debut came in 2006, where she bombed out of the qualifying round of the Australian. Rezaï, who traces her roots from Iran, fared a lot better in Roland Garros, reaching the 3rd round. The 23-year old had also reached the third round in Wimbledon (2007) and the Australian Open (2008).

Photos from stuff.co.nz and y.caradec

To date, Rezaï had won a total of 4 WTA titles and 7 ITF crowns. Her world ranking has risen gradually through the years, reaching a high of 15th overall in October 2010. The past season saw the emergent Rezaï upsetting big names like Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki - a strong sign of her true potential.