Rome Masters Women’s Players

Amelie Mauresmo

Amelie Mauresmo did not have a proficient 2007 season. The two-time winner of the Rome Masters only managed a single tournament title in the past season, with a February win at the Proximus Diamond Games in Antwerp. Since then she has struggled to maintain her excellent form of 2006.

Mauresmo has twice claimed a Grand Slam – the 2006 Australian Open and the Wimbledon championship. On both occasions she out-classed the current WTA world number one, Justine Henin, proving that she has the ability to subdue the very best in professional tennis.

Her run at the Rome Masters has been auspicious – she claimed the crown in 2004 and 2005 and was a finalist in 2000, 2001 and 2003. Her luck changed in 2007 when she was knocked out in the second round by Australian Samantha Stosur in three sets 5-7 6-7(4) 7-6(7).

There is no reason why this Rome Masters women’s player cannot reach the heights of 2006. She has taken on the likes of Amanda Coetzer, Jennifer Capriati and Venus Williams on clay, and on each occasion has walked away triumphant. Her trademark one-handed backhand and strong net play mak

e her an ideal clay court candidate, and her overall clay win/loss record of 117-45 speaks volumes.

Jelena Jankovic

World number three and defending champion, Jelena Jankovic, only joined the WTA Tour in 2006, and although she is still to claim a Grand Slam singles title, the fact that she is ranked in the top ten after just two seasons on the professional tour is an indication of her enormous talent and work ethic.

In 2006 she reached the quarterfinals in Rome, losing out to American great, Venus Williams. A year later, as the third seed, she defied all odds by trouncing current world number two, Svetlana Kuznetsova in two sets (7-5 6-1) to claim the crown at the Foro Italico.

Known as a tough competitor and classified as a counterpuncher, Jankovic has played more matches in a season than any other professional player. In 2007 she won four titles, defeating Kim Clijsters, Anna Chakvetadze, Justine Henin and Agnes Szaray. Her overall clay win/loss record currently stands at 62-30.

Dinara Safina

Russian, Dinara Safina was finalist at the 2006 Rome Masters. The younger sister of Marat Safin, Dinara was completely outplayed by Switzerland’s Martina Hingis in straight sets, 6-2 7-5. Safina has shown a tendency to play well on clay, and in 2006 reached the quarterfinals at the French Open.

Safina has shown plenty of aptitude and has beaten fellow Russian Maria Sharapova at both the Kremlin Cup and the French Open. Her other big-name scalps include Kim Clijsters and world number two, Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Safina has shown consistent results on clay and in the 2007 season she reached the quarterfinals at both Berlin and Rome. Of her five singles wins, three have been contested on clay.

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