KEY POINTS:
Not so long ago, tennis buffs would shake their heads as the incomparable Roger Federer moved to yet another victory. Watch the women's tennis, they would say, it's far more interesting.
The competition was closer, there were more chances of upsets and the emergence of the Russians, rattling
the dominant American and European women was taking place.
It's changed now. The Russians aren't coming, they have arrived - six are in the world top 20, more than any other country, with more on the way - and the rash of withdrawals from tomorrow's Australian Open serves only to underline the end-of-an-era / start-of-a-new-one atmosphere in Melbourne.
Not lining up, for various reasons, are world No 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne, Venus Williams, Lindsay Davenport, Mary Pierce, world No 6 Nadia Petrova. World No 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova is doubtful. Those are names which have been mainstays of the circuit for many years.
Davenport, now pregnant, is retiring. Henin-Hardenne has decided to stay at home to see if she can patch up her ailing marriage. Williams and the others are injured. Martina Hingis continues her comeback without anyone quite believing she can win a slam event and Serena Williams has competed so rarely in recent times that her ranking has fallen to 94. There is no doubting Serena's talent but there are some doubts about her ability to withstand the sustained physical pressures of a grand slam tournament right now.
The favourites are US Open champion Maria Sharapova and defending champion Amelie Mauresmo, although Belgium's Kim Clijsters - in her last season before retiring at a ridiculously early age - convincingly beat Sharapova recently and won the Sydney Medibank warm-up tournament. However, if Sharapova gets that blistering forehand down the line working, she can beat anybody.
The long season and consistent withdrawals due to injuries - although some critics feel there is a degree of convenience in many absences - has led to moves towards a shortened season, threatening the Auckland ASB Tennis Classic among others.
However, in this watershed time, there could be a new era of rising stars who could begin to reshape women's tennis in 2007.
Top of the list is Serbia's Jelena Jankovic, winner in Auckland who blitzed Hingis, Australia's top player Samantha Stosur and Mauresmo - beating her 6-0 in the final set - in a warm-up tournament, before falling to Clijsters in the final after holding match point.
Stosur, 21, can't be discounted at home but the elegant Jankovic is in fine form and her ground strokes contain real venom. She looks ready for the step up in class.
So who else is there from the "babe brigade" - not winners, maybe, but who might grow their presence on the world stage?
Rising stars
Dinara Safina (Russia)
Age: 20
World ranking: 10
Why: Sister of Marat Safin. Brilliant on her day, awful when she's off. Tall, big hitter.
Recent record: Quarter-finals of the French and US Opens last year. Crushed Hingis to win warm-up tournament in Australia but then lost to Australia's Nicole Pratt (world No 72). Beat Sharapova in last year's French Open and lost only to top seed Mauresmo at US Open.
Nicole Vaidisova (Czech Republic)
Age: 17
World ranking: 11
Why: Everyone's pick as a world No 1 of the future. Tall, glamour girl reminiscent of Sharapova.
Recent record: Has beaten Mauresmo twice (although not on hardcourt). Semi-finalist at French Open last year - also made it through to the last 16 at Wimbledon, Melbourne and the third round at the US Open. Still learning, but dangerous.
Anna Chakvetadze (Russia)
Age: 18
World ranking: 13
Why: She's tiny (58kg) but fast. Likes grass and hardcourt. Won warm-up tournament in Hobart last week.
Recent record: Reached last 16 at US Open; third round at Wimbledon, losing only to Henin-Hardenne. Beat Petrova three times last year. Has only ever lost to Jankovic once in five matches. Maybe not quite ready for this but could surprise.
Ana Ivanovic (Serbia)
Age: 19
World ranking: 14
Why: Has a blazing forehand, reminiscent of Steffi Graf. Tall and good-looking but sometimes an awkward mover on court.
Recent record: Made the fourth round at Wimbledon and the third round at the US Open and Roland Garros. Has beaten Mauresmo twice (2-5 win-loss record against her).
Michaella Krajicek (Netherlands)
Age: 18
World ranking: 37
Why: Still finding her feet at this level but sister of former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek.
Recent record: Likes Australia; lost only to Mauresmo in this event last year. Has beaten Safina, Ivanovic and world No 8 Elena Dementieva.
Vania King (USA)
Age: 17
World ranking: 57
Why: Still a real rookie and not even the highest-ranked American up-and-comer in this current freeze-out for US women's tennis. But coached by Ivan Lendl and rated as US's best chance for the future.
Recent record: Only turned pro in July last year - exited Wimbledon after beaten by Jankovic and US Open after losing to Henin-Hardenne.
