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Born: 27/6/85
Nationality: Russian
Seeded: 5
World ranking: 5
Wimbledon best:
Quarter-finals (2003)
Recent record:
2004: 1st round
2003: Quarter-finals
2002: N/A
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The Russian has followed up her breakthrough season with another steady campaign in 2005.
Kuznetsova claimed her first Grand Slam title at the 2004 US Open and climbed into the world's top five for the first time.
The Russian proved her grittiness at Flushing Meadows, beating Lindsay Davenport and defending champion Justine Henin-Hardenne before downing Elena Dementieva in the final.
She has continued to slowly improve this season, reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for the first time.
At Roland Garros, she matched her best French Open performance before bowing out in the fourth round to Henin-Hardenne.
A new doubles partnership with Australian Alicia Molik this season has added another dimension to Kuznetsova's game.
The pair claimed the Australian Open doubles crown and went on to add a second title in Miami.
But with Molik pulling out of Wimbledon through injury, Kuznetsova will want to progress individually.
The Russian reached the last eight in 2003 but fell in the first round to qualifier Virginie Razzano last year.
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MMIX
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