Jankovic and Kuznetsova's Comebacks Collide at Indian Wells

Once stalwarts of the top ten, Jelena Jankovic and Svetlana Kuznetsova will face off in a key second round match at the BNP Paribas Open.

By Erik Gudris

(March 7th, 2013) -- The matchup of Svetlana Kuznetsova versus Jelena Jankovic is one that fans were used to seeing in the later rounds of big events. But now, both players find themselves facing each other in the second round of this week's BNP Paribas Open.

Two of the more popular players on tour, Jankovic and Kuznetsova have an odd symmetry with each other when their careers are compared. Both hold 13 career WTA singles titles and each maintained a long-time presence inside the top ten for several years. Kuznetsova holds two Major titles while Jankovic is a former No.1. But yet, there's still a aura of "what if?" hanging over both women as many feel neither player has truly lived up to their full potential.

Both have tasted success in the desert with Kuznetsova twice a runner-up at Indian Wells while Jankovic is a former champion. But lately each has suffered a drop in their rankings due to various reasons. Kuznetsova, now at No. 46, suffered a knee injury that took her out of the game for six months last year. Jankovic, currently at No. 23, has endured more a decline in consistent results though she did manage to win her first title in Bogota a few weeks ago - her first since winning Indian Wells in 2010.

At age 28, Jankovic and the 27-year-old Kuznetsova are either poised to make a comeback in the last stages of their careers or perhaps suffer a further decline. Kuznetsova was candid during her run to the quarterfinals of Melbourne that she not only needed the six-month break to heal her body but her mind was also burnt out from over 10 years of non-stop travel on the tour. Kuznetsova still possesses a free-flowing game that can beat anyone, so long as she keeps her head clear.

Jankovic has dealt with some injuries here and there, but her issues appear to be more of just having lost that extra "something" that made her the premier defensive player on tour. Her down the line backhand is still one of the best in the business, though she often finds herself struggling to win even against opponents ranked much lower than her.

Though their prowess and success on the court is what made them stars, Jankovic's and Kuznetsova's outgoing, friendly, and sometimes dramatic personalities are often what fans clamor to take in whenever possible. Kuznetsova's tattoos, her recent switch to having hair extensions, and her funny quips on Twitter keep everyone glued in to what she will say or do next. Jankovic, with her trademark eyeliner and unofficial nickname of "glitter" is one of the few players who looks just as comfortable posing in high fashion and heels as she does grinding it out in sneakers on court. Their continuing popularity was clearly evidenced in a popular "quiz show" video that they taped for the Sydney event back in January.

Whether either one can make a return to the top ten or become a contender for a Major again is anyone's guess. But if their comeback to the elite tier that they once were a part of is to take off in a big way, they both will need a jumpstart at the biggest events. Though Kuznetsova tells Jankovic at the end of their video, "Jelena, never compete with me again", we're fortunate that we get another chance to see them battle in a marquee match that will be anything but trivial for both women.

(Photo Credit: AP)