Nadia Petrova Profile

Nadia Petrova is yet to claim her first Grand Slam title but has been on the verge of grand slam success several times over recent years.

Petrova's big breakthrough came in 2003 when she beat both Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati on her way to the French Open semifinals. In 2004, she lost in the first round of the Australian Open, but her success on the WTA circuit helped her claim ninth place in the world rankings.

Nadia Petrova of Russia celebrates her victory over Tamarine Tanasugarn of Thailand in their women's singles first round match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, 15 January 2007 Petrova failed to impress at the 2004 French Open, but at the US Open she pulled off the biggest win of her career by defeating former world no.1, Justine Henin 6-3, 6-2 in the fourth round. Petrova then lost in the quarterfinals to fellow Russian, Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-6, 6-3.

At the 2005 Australian Open Petrova lost to eventual champion Serena Williams, pushing her opponent all the way as she succumbed to a  6-1, 3-6, 6-3 defeat. She again reached the semis at the French Open, but lost to Henin. Petrova then got as far as the quarterfinals of Wimbledon before Maria Sharapova knocked her out of the competition.

In 2006 Petrova reached the quarterfinals at the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, but thereafter experienced a severe dip in form as she slid down the rankings. The Russian eventually pulled out of both the French Open and Wimbledon.

Petrova's 2007/2008 record was not much better:

  • Knocked out by Serena Williams in the third round of the Australian Open
  • Was the 'big upset' of the French Open when she was defeated by Kveta Peschke 7-5, 5-7, 6-0
  • Lost in the fourth round at Wimbledon
  • No.7 seed at the US Open but succumbed to Agnes Szavay 6-4, 6-4
  • Defeated by Agnieszka Radwańska 1–6, 7–5, 6–0 at the 2008 Australian Open in the fourth round.
  • Made it to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon 2008, but lost out to Elena Dementieva
  • Lost in the third round of the US Open 2008 to Flavia Pennetta 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

In 2009 Petrova struggled to make an impact on the singles circuit, but continued to achieve good results in doubles. The Russian slipped in and out of the top ten of the WTA Rankings several times in the year, but would need to pull off the comeback of a lifetime to make an impression at the 2010 Australian Open.