Anne Keothavong dragged British women's tennis back into the spotlight in 2008 when she finally cracked the world's top 100 and became the first British player in 11 years to reach the third round of the US Open.

The Hackney player is showing no signs of stopping there either, continuing her fine form into 2009, briefly reaching a career-high world ranking of 48 in February as well as providing a tremendous example to her Fed Cup team-mates.

Melanie South followed Keothavong's example, briefly making the world's top 100 in February 2009 and ensuring a high-enough ranking to enter the Australian Open without having to qualify.

Katie O'Brien is not far behind on the brink of the top 100, the Yorkshire girl having continued her improvement since coming to the nation's attention when she reached the second round of Wimbledon in 2007.

Elena Baltacha was long considered the British female player most likely to make a breakthrough, and partially lived up to that billing by reaching the second round or better of seven Grand Slam tournaments.

However, Baltacha's early career was ravaged by long spells of inactivity due to injury and illness. She is now making good progress, though, and slowly closing in on that coveted world top 100 place.

Great Britain's Fed Cup squad have also been boosted significantly by the prowess of Sarah Borwell in doubles competition. The Middlesbrough player reached the doubles top 100 ranking in February 2009 and her ability gives the team a crucial extra dimension.