Article by Gerhard Grundhammer

Jelenas first opponent on her way to become world-champion 2002 is Anastasia Myskina.

Anastasia is mentioned at the world ranking system since 1995, where she claimed position 920, but improved her ranking every year, and finally reached her career high position right now, as she claims no 11 of the world, and names herself proudly the no1 of her home country Russia.

It seems like Jelena has one opponent every year, where she has to play against all year long, and the 21 year old girl from moscow is the choosen one for 2002, lining up with as famous names as Davenport (2001) and Martinez (2000). Its the sixth meeting of those two beauties in 2002, and Jelena won 3 of them, which included the most important one: The Final of Birmingham.

After winning her first career title back in 1999 in Palermo, it was only the second wta-final for Myskina, but it should have certainly not been the last one. Only one week later she reached another final on grass. This time at Eastbourne, followed by an acceptable result at Wimbledon (3rd round). Reaching the third round of San Diego can also be counted as acceptable, especially as she only lost to one of the hottest, best looking and most talented players on the tour again.

But the daughter of Andrey and Galina Myskina tasted the sweetness of success, and continued winning. She reached the semi-final at New Haven, the third round of the US-Open and finally won her first tournament: Bahia/Brasil, which included a win over..... (who else) Dokic! Next she went to Leipzig, where she reached her third final in 2002.

With big expectations she went for her home tournament at Moscow, but things changed. She lost her opening match there, as well as at Filderstadt. Zurich and Linz were not much better for the 1.74 meters tall girl: Only reaching the second rounds there is nothing like her talent would allowed her to reach.

After all, it was a rememberable year for Anastasia. A pretty poor beginning, the best summer of her career, and a disappointing end. Not to forget the honour to play Jelena Dokic 6 times in only one year, and finally she also met her new boyfriend, Jens Gerlach, who used to be her hitting-partner, and is now her coach.