5 future women's tennis stars

As the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships get under way , Ahmed Rizvi takes a look at a quintet of players who could make it big in the near future. Eugenie Bouchard, Canada – Age: 19 – Current ranking: No 19 Starting 2013 as world No 147, Bouchard, right, has made an impressive rise up the rankings and boasts wins against top-10 players Samantha Stosur and Jelena Jankovic. When she beat Ana Ivanovic in the Wimbledon second round last year, an impressed Martina Navratilova saw “a potential grand slam champion”. The compliments and expectations have only increased, peaking at the Australian Open as she reached the semi-finals on her debut. Sloane Stephens, United States – Age: 20 – Current ranking: No 18 Forced into the limelight following her win over Serena Williams at the Australian Open last year, Stephens had struggled to cope with the weight of expectations initially. But making the fourth round at Roland Garros and the quarter-finals at Wimbledon showed her Melbourne success was no fluke. She reached the round of 16 at the last two grand slams as well, and a first tour title should be around the corner. Elina Svitolina, Ukraine – Age: 19 – Current ranking: No 39 Having started 2013 at No 131, Svitolina has gained 92 spots, and won her first tour title in Baku last July. Winner of the 2010 junior French Open, she reached the third round at the Australian Open last month, stunning two-time grand slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the opening round. She boasts a big serve and powerful groundstrokes. Madison Keys, United States – Age: 19 – Current ranking: No 37 “Best hope I’ve seen for US since Williams,” former world No 1 Lindsay Davenport tweeted last January as Keys reached the third round of the Australian Open. Since then, her list of admirers has grown to include Li Na and Agnieszka Radwanska. “If she plays like this every match, she will soon be in the ... top 10,” said Li, who lost to her in Madrid. Keys has also defeated Carla Suarez Navarro and Simona Halep. Donna Vekic, Croatia – Age: 17 – Current ranking: No 106 Trained in London by Tim Henman’s former coach, David Felgate, and mentored by Chris Evert, Vekic had already reached two WTA finals in her fledgling career. “I believe that we’re going to see a lot of her in the future,” said Caroline Wozniacki after beating the teenager at the Australian Open last year. “She’s tall and she’s going to improve a lot.”