Part of the Russian revolution in women's tennis, Elena Dementieva is one of the game's most consistent performers.

Dementieva arguably has a prize rarer than a Grand Slam singles trophy, although it may not be any consolation to the Russian that she has never won a Grand Slam singles title. While there are four chances a year to win a Major, the Olympic Games comes around every four years, and Dementieva beat Dinara Safina to win gold at the Beijing Games in 2008.

Over the last decade, Dementieva has reached nine Grand Slam semi-finals. After reaching her first semi-final at the US Open in 2000, she reached her first Grand Slam final at the 2004 French Open, where she upset Lindsay Davenport, and stormed past Amelie Mauresmo, before suffering a collapse against fellow Russian Anastasia Myskina 6-1 6-2.

Just a few months later she was in the final again at Flushing Meadows, but after beating Mauresmo and Jennifer Capriati, she was beaten once more by a Russian, this time Svetlana Kuznetsova. But her best chance arguably came in 2009, where she found herself in the form of her life.

After winning back-to-back titles in Auckland and Sydney (beating Serena Williams on the way), she had the chance to become world No. 1 for the first time. But after easing through to the semi-finals, her 15-match winning streak was ended by eventual champion Serena Williams, who she had beaten just two weeks earlier in Sydney.

Arguably one of the greatest female players of recent years not to win a Grand Slam, she has received criticism for failing to close out matches on the big stage.

In October 2010, after defeat to Francesca Schiavone at the year-ending WTA Championships, an emotional Dementieva announced her retirement from the sport.

Career high
Battling back from a set down to beat Dinara Safina 3-6 7-5 6-3 to win Olympic gold in Beijing.

Career low In the semi-finals of the 2005 US Open Dementieva was a set up against American Mary Pierce, but while Pierce received 12 minutes of medical treatment, Dementieva failed to keep a hold of her nerves, and eventually fell 3-6 6-2 6-2.

Quotes
"I am not at all tempted by the title of 'Tennis Lolita'. I am trying to prove myself on the court and not off the court."

"Just look at Andy Roddick. He has the biggest serve on the men's tour and he's not the No. 1 because other parts of his game are not so good. I think it's more important to have the desire and the other parts of your game."

Trivia
Dementieva has starred in Russian pop star Igor Nikolaev's music video