General / Guy McCrea / 06 November 2011 /

From Petra Kvitova's wonderful year to Sabine Liscki's incredible run at Wimbledon and the Top 20 player who under-achieved once again, Guy McCrea gives out his awards at the end of another long WTA season.

Player of the Year

Only a few weeks ago, this was a pretty tough call. First-time Grand Slam champions Li Na, Petra Kvitova and Sam Stosur were all contenders. But after winning both the season-end WTA Championships and inspiring her country to a first Fed Cup title since 1988, this award clearly has to go to Kvitova (currently priced around [4.1] on Betfair to win the 2012 Australian Open.)

The Czech leftie started 2011 outside the world's top 30 but ended it only just behind Caroline Wozniacki at the top of the WTA rankings. Kvitova won six WTA titles this season including her maiden Grand Slam crown at Wimbledon. While she can still be very inconsistent during matches, there is little doubt in my mind that Kvitova's best tennis is too much for anyone on the WTA - Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters included. Can Kvitova consistently bring her brutal brand of ball-hitting to the court in 2012? If so, the Czech will surely seize the world number one ranking. Who knows, she might even start to dominate too.

Breakthrough

Every year several bright young talents announce themselves and 2011 has been no exception. Those who made my shortlist and who can improve further still next season include Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu and Croatia's Petra Martic. But there's plenty of hype in the United States about Christina McHale and she showed why to also crack the top 50 for the first time. McHale produced a clutch of outstanding wins - the highlight a victory against Wozniacki at Cincinnati in August. The teenager doesn't possess huge weapons in her game but makes up for it with heaps of fighting spirit. An old head on young shoulders, McHale gets my vote and it will be fascinating to follow her progress in 2012.

Comeback

An easy choice this one - it has to be Sabine Lisicki ([17.5] to win the Australian Open.) A former top 30 teen, the German's career looked in jeopardy when she suffered a horrific ankle injury last year. Lisicki dropped to a lowpoint of 218 in the rankings in March before she brilliantly battled her way back up the rankings, winning two WTA singles titles and the hearts of the Wimbledon crowds during her thrilling run to a maiden Grand Slam semi-final appearance.

Lisicki also entered the world's top 20 for the first time just prior to the U.S. Open. Still armed with one of the biggest serves in the women's game and still only 22 years old, it is such good news for tennis in general to have this all-smiling talent now well and truly back in the conversation.

Disappointment

Despite her title defence in Bali, I could easily plump for Ana Ivanovic here - especially as that season-ending event is hardly too significant in the scheme of things. But instead I will choose her fellow Serb, Jelena Jankovic ([32] to triumph in Melbourne.) It may seem strange to suggest the world number 14 has had a disappointing year but when you think of all the talent she possesses, it's hard to judge 2011 as anything else for the former world number one.

After linking up with Andrei Pavel at the start of the year the early signs seemed good with three semi-final runs in the first four months of the season. But since then Jankovic has largely underachieved. She soon ditched Pavel for former coach Ricardo Sanchez but still seems confused about her best tactics. Equally importantly, the Serb also just doesn't have the carefree, fun-loving attitude on court of years gone by. No doubt about it - this year was a superb opportunity for Jankovic to try and win her first Grand Slam title. But the now 26 year old didn't even reach a quarter final at any of the majors. Ivanovic didn't either - but while there are some good vibes around her again, you can't quite say the same about Jankovic.

Funniest Moment

There have been several amusing episodes on the WTA this season, such as Andrea Petkovic teaching Agnieszka Radwanska ([26.0] to win) her infamous 'Petko-dance' on-court immediately after the pair had played against each other in the China Open final. But for me, 2011's funniest WTA moment happened in Melbourne right at the start of the year and it didn't even happen during a match. After her second round win - on what turned out to be her successful run to the Australian Open title - Kim Clijsters was interviewed on-court by Todd Woodbridge. Definitely just as funny as it was first time around!

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: