Born: 27/6/85 Nationality: Russian Seeded: 8 World ranking: 9 Wimbledon best: Quarter-finals (2003) Recent record: 2003: Quarter-finals 2002: N/A 2001: N/A

She is no unknown, having won her only two career titles to date in 2002, but her form this year has been impressive.

Three defeats in finals and a third round loss to Justine Henin-Hardenne in the Australian Open were no disgrace.

More recently, Russian compatriot Myskina took three sets to beat her in the fourth round at Roland Garros.

Kuznetsova gave a sign of things to come when reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals last year.

She may have picked up some tips from former doubles partner Martina Navratilova with whom she won five titles in 2003.

This year she has teamed up with compatriot Elena Likhovtseva and the pair are seeded number two in the doubles.