The top 5 women to watch in 2017

1

Age: 22

Ranking: No. 14

2016 Highlights: The Ukrainian added her fourth career WTA title in Kuala Lumpur and reached the fourth round at Roland Garros (the site of her sole quarterfinal major appearance in 2015). She also upset Serena Williams at the Olympics, and finished second at the Elite Trophy in Zhuhai.

2

Age: 22

Ranking: No. 25

2016 Highlights: The Russian-turned-Australian enjoyed a year of firsts including her first-ever Top 30 season in a year that saw her reach her first fourth round in Melbourne. She also appeared in her first WTA final in Moscow.

3

Age: 23

Ranking: No. 32

2016 Highlights: While she struggled afterward it's impossible to overlook a gold medalist. Puig became the first-ever gold medalist from Puerto Rico, upsetting Garbine Muguruza, Petra Kvitova and Angelique Kerber on her path to the top of the podium.

4

Age: 19

Ranking: No. 48

2016 Highlights: Playing in her major debuts all year, the Japanese teenager reached the third round in Melbourne, Paris and New York. At the US Open, she actually led 5-1 in the third set against Madison Keys, but lost her nerve. She recovered to reach the final in Tokyo in September.

5

Age: 17

Ranking: No. 75

2016 Highlights: After reaching the third round of the US Open, the American turned professional and went on a tear, winning 15 matches in a row to end the year as the youngest player inside the Top 100 (the streak included two ITF Pro Circuit $50,000 titles and her first WTA title in Hawaii).