Serena Williams Leads WTA Players Poised for a Top 10 Return in 2012

The WTA Tour's Top 10 rankings list, as it stands now, reflects the increased depth the women's game has shown over the past few years. But also in that regard, no one's spot is safe—especially as there are a number of veterans eager to make their ways back among the game's elite in 2012.

Grand Slam champions of years past and former world No. 1s found themselves on the outside looking in at the end of 2011, but a return to form could erase all of that. Following is a look at some of the players ready to see some single digits next to their names in the rankings.

Serena Williams

Current Ranking: 12

One of the game's all-time greats, Serena Williams made a return to competition during the grass-court season after missing nearly a year of play due to a variety of health issues. It didn't take her long to round into form, as she went on to make the U.S. Open final.

If her health holds up, she becomes the favorite at any tournament she enters.

Kim Clijsters

Current Ranking: 13

Since her return from an early retirement, Kim Clijsters has arguably been the best hard-court player of the past three years, as seen by her two U.S. Open titles and one Australian won during her comeback. 2011 started perfectly for her with that Aussie win, but injuries gave her problems throughout the year.

Recent exhibition results show she's rounding into form and solid results at the beginning of '12 could land her back in the Top 10 quickly.

Svetlana Kuznetsova

Current Ranking: 19

A two-time Grand Slam winner (2004 U.S. Open and '09 French Open), Svetlana Kuznetsova has been ranked as high as No. 2 in the world. However, 2011 was the second season in a row that she finished the year outside the Top 15.

And while she only made one final over the course of the year, Kuznetsova did notch wins over Top 10 players Francesca Schiavone and Samantha Stosur. If she shows signs of returning to form, she could be back at a familiar rankings position.

Flavia Pennetta

Current Ranking: 20

While she failed to make a final in 2011, Flavia Pennetta showed flashes of her prior Top 10 form during the year. In the second half of the season alone, she defeated Top 5 players Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova.Over the course of the year, she also notched wins over Top 10 stars Vera Zvonareva, Samantha Stosur and Victoria Azarenka.

If she maintains some consistency, which might be hard to do right now from a mental standpoint, she could see her ranking shoot up.

Ana Ivanovic

Current Ranking: 22

It seems like it's been quite some time now since Ana Ivanovic was a Grand Slam titlist and world No. 1, as the years since that dream 2008 season have provided some ups and downs.

Still, she did advance to the fourth round of the U.S. Open, as well as win the eight-player invitational tournament in Bali. Perhaps that's a sign of things to come in '12, bringing with it a single digit next to her name in the standings.