I would love to see Bally and Anne breakthrough to win a WTA event, but I think it is less likely to happen than for Heather or Laura. But I think we may well have to wait 2-3 years for one of these two to break through at winning WTA level. That said, both could surprise us and win a 220K this year.
I hope to be proven wrong, and will be delighted for any of the above to win, of course. I sort of hope actually it would be Anne and Bally, as it would be a fantastic career achievement to add to their getting into the top 50. They have both worked incredibly hard against injuries, and it would be soooooo nice for them to get the win.
I don't count doubles save for the enjoyment value, so have no comment on Sarah (aside to wish her well).
Interesting no votes for our highest ranked player yet. It has to be noted Bally has yet to reach a semi-final yet as she tends to concentrate on the bigger tournaments. She was a bit unlucky Sharapova played Memphis this year as I think she could have gone on to win that tournament.
Annie K should have at least reached a final by now, she has had plently of winnable semis. Hopefully she will continue to create oppotunites for herself and take one eventually. She has already won Krakow ITF which was the same standard of some of the weaker tour events.
Laura and Heather we will have to see. I voted for Heather.
Well, I don't see it happening in the near future either.
As long as Laura still has tournament age restrictions ( and is still just gradually gaining experience anyway ) I think she is less likely to do it than it than Heather ( and indeed probably Bally and Anne ), but ultimately I do think the next to do it will be Laura.
-- Edited by indiana on Monday 13th of December 2010 04:13:48 AM
Realistically, I would be hoping to see an attempt to break the top 120 from Heather and a final/win in a 75K - that would be good progress for her.
for Laura, I hope that she continues to mix it up in WTA events outside the grass court season but concentrates on some good point scoring mid season. With Laura next year I think it's less about ranking and more about individual win results. She needs some big scalps.
What has worked for Bally this year has been to aim high. I hope she's thinking top 30. It will be tough, given the number of points she's defending but a good early event win/progress will help her confidence no end.
With Anne, I desperately hope she can scratch the top 75. And I would love to see an Anne Vs Bally WTA match this year!
For either Anne or Bally to win first they will need some luck in running i.e a weak event where say the top seeds underperform.
At this stage in her career Heather has shown the ability to finish off tournaments, raising her level to take the big prize at the end of the week. So in the next two years she would be favoured over Laura.
Laura has shown the ability to take the big scalp this year but not to do it day in day out. Since junior Wimby it is quite remarkable that she hasn't won another tournament bar Sunderland. I still think though that given another 2/3 years of experience etc., she will be regularly contesting the main prize at the 220k's and it is for that reason that I have chosen her.
Sarah well it is possible but still unlikely given she has lost a very good doubles partner.
