DINARA SAFINA (RUS)

World ranking: 1
Birthdate: Apr 27, 1986
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 5'11" (182 cm)
Weight: 154 lbs (70 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 2000
Career singles titles: 11
Grand Slam singles titles: 0
Career prize money: $8 283 046
Best Wimbledon result: 3rd rnd (2005, 2006, 2008)

Beaten by compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova in the French Open final, Safina will brush the clay off her feet and try to make amends for her third Grand Slam final defeat by finally winning a major to answer the critics who claim she doesn't deserve to be world number one.

SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)
World ranking: 2
Birthdate: Sept 26, 1981
Birthplace: Saginaw, Michigan, USA
Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA
Height: 5'9" (175 cm)
Weight: 150 lbs (68 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 1995
Career singles titles: 33
Grand Slam singles titles: 10
Career prize money: $24 205 248
Best Wimbledon result: Champion (2002, 2003)

Six years after she last won the singles title at Wimbledon, the American, bolstered by victory in January's Australian Open, is a strong contender to regain the crown currently held by sister Venus, who defeated her in last year's final.

VENUS WILLIAMS (USA)
World ranking: 3
Birthdate: June 17, 1980
Birthplace: Lynwood, California, USA
Residence: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
Weight: 160 lbs (72.5 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 1994
Career singles titles: 41
Grand Slam singles titles: 7
Career prize money: $22 842 277
Best Wimbledon result: Champion (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008)

Never has a trophy been so aptly named as the Venus Rosewater Dish awarded to the women's singles champion at Wimbledon. Venus has paraded the trophy around Centre Court five times despite early exits from the Australian and French Opens, it would be little surprise if the reigning champion added a third successive victory this year.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA (RUS)

World ranking: 4
Birthdate: Oct 15, 1981
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
Weight: 141 lbs (64 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 1998
Career singles titles: 13
Grand Slam singles titles: 0
Career prize money: $11 328 501
Best Wimbledon result: Semifinals (2008)

Too often in the last five years, Dementieva has become accustomed to leaving a Grand Slam rueing what might have been. The Russian's talent is undoubted but her fragile temperament has let her down in defeats in the French and US Open finals and semifinal exits at Wimbledon last year and the Australian Open this year.

SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA (RUS)

World ranking: 5
Birthdate: June 27, 1985
Birthplace: St Petersburg, Russia
Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
Height: 5'8" (174 cm)
Weight: 161 lbs (73 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned pro: 2000
Career singles titles: 11
Grand Slam singles titles: 2
Career prize money: $12 379 668
Best Wimbledon result: Quarterfinals (2003, 2005, 2007)

Victory at the French Open brought Kuznetsova her second Grand Slam and could lay the foundations for a sustained assault at Wimbledon, where she has never been beyond the quarter-finals. Her thrilling last eight win over Serena Williams at Roland Garros showed the Russian can beat the best.