Anna Kournikova

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Anna's BIOS: 
 
Residence: Bradenton, Florida; 
competes internationally for Russia 
Birth date:  June 7, 1981 
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia 
Height: 5'6" (1.68 m) 
Weight:  112 lbs. (50 kg) 
Plays:  Right-handed (two-handed backhand) 
Status:  Pro (October 1995) 
Highest  
Single Ranked: 		  23 
 
 
1997 HIGHLIGHTS
 
- SINGLES
SEMIFINALIST: Wimbledon
QUARTERFINALIST:  German Open  
FOURTH ROUND:  Lipton 
THIRD ROUND:  Roland Garros 
 - DOUBLES 
SEMIFINALIST: Italian Open (w/Likhovtseva) 
Los  Angeles (w/Sugiyama) 
QUARTERFINALIST: Indian Wells (w/Likhovtseva) 
German Open(w/Likhovtseva)
THIRD ROUND:  Roland Garros(w/Likhovtseva) 
- MIXED DOUBLES 
SEMIFINALIST:  Australian Open (w/Knowles) 
QUARTERFINALIST:   Roland Garros (w/Knowles) 
  		 Anna at Wimbledom '97


QUICK FACTS
        In 1997, became the second woman in the Open Era to reach the Wimbledom semifinals in her Anna and Martina Hingiscareer debut in the tournament (Chris Evert in 1972 is the other); upset fifth-ranked Iva Majoli in the quarterfinals and 10th-ranked Anke Huber in the third round; came back from match point down in the second round to defeat Barbara Rittner; prior to the tournament, she had never reached a semifinal on the COREL WTA TOUR and had reached just one quarterfinal.  Through Wimbledon, six of her seven losses in 1997 were to players in the Top 10.
         Collected first win over a Top 10 player with win over No. 6  Arantxa Sanchez Vicario at 1997 Berlin and reached first  career quarterfinal on the COREL WTA TOUR; ranking cracked Top 50 for first time at No. 48 .   Playing in just her second OREL WTA TOUR main draw  event and first Grand Slam tournament, reached the fourth  round at the 1996 US Open with stadium court victory over 14th seed Barbara Paulus; ranking improved to a then-career high No. 69 .
         As a wildcard ranked 84th, defeated 13th-ranked Amanda Coetzer in first round of 1996 Zurich; ranking vaulted 26 spots to a then-career high No. 58; defeated Coetzer again at 1997 Lipton, avenging a loss to Coetzer two months earlier in the Australian Open .
         In 1996, improved year-end ranking 224 spots from No. 281 in 1995 to No. 57
         At age 14, became the youngest player to compete and win in Fed Cup competition in the first tie of 1996, helping Russia defeat Sweden 3-0. Anna and her mother
         As a qualifier, won her first professional title at a 1996 ITF  Women's Circuit satellite event in Midland, Michigan, USA;  collected wins over Julie Steven, Jana Nejedly, Rene Simpson, Tami Whitlinger-Jones and Lindsay Lee; after winning the      tournament, flew to Oklahoma City in time to win her  first-round qualifying match the same day .
         Seeded fifth, earned second pro title at a 1996 ITF Women's Circuit satellite event in Rockford, Illinois, USA; wins included  Sonya Jeyaseelan, Tara Snyder and Yuka Yoshida.
         Named the 1996 COREL WTA TOUR Most Impressive Newcomer .
         In junior competition, ended 1995 as the ITF Junior World Champion ranked No. 1; won the 1995 Orange Bowl 18s;   1995 European Championships 18s winner; 1995 Italian Open  juniors winner; 1995 Wimbledon juniors semifinalist; 1995  French Open juniors quarterfinalist.
         Coached by Nick Bollettieri; moved to Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida, in February of 1992  with her mother .
         All-court style of game.
         Began playing tennis at age 5 with friends in a weekly children's sports  program .