Date of Birth: 16.07.76 Became pro: 1991 World ranking: 17

Verdict: The Israeli player is one of the stories of the season so far.

Smashnova has simply flown up the WTA rankings. Starting the season 87th, she has just broken into the top 20.

Started the year as she meant to go on - winning back-to-back tournaments Down Under - and proved it was no fluke by reaching the last eight at Indian Wells, her best Tier I event performance which was soon bettered in Berlin where she made the last four, beating second seed Kim Clijsters along the way.

Got a bad draw in Paris where she lost in the first round to Francesca Schiavone.

Another player with a poor record on grass. She has won only three matches in seven appearances here so another fine run cannot be expected.

GRAND SLAM HISTORY
	02	01	00	99	98	97	96	95	94
Australian Open	1R	1R	1R	2R	-	-	2R	3R	2R
French Open	1R	1R	1R	3R	4R	-	1R	4R	2R
Wimbledon	-	1R	3R	1R	1R	-	1R	1R	2R
US Open	-	1R	1R	1R	1R	-	-	1R	3R

Key: 1R (first round); 2R (second round); 3R (third round); 4R (fourth round); QF (quarter-finals); SF (losing semi-finalists); RU (Runner up); W (winner).