The Tennis Calendar: February

Here's what we have got:

Fed Cup: First round action between Russia and China, Italy and France (our pick), Czech Republic and Spain and USA and Argentina. We predict that Russia will power through the whole draw this year (again) and claim their fifth victory in six years.

The teams are (according to Diane at Women Who Serve):

Russia: Dementieva, Kuznetsova, Chakvetadze and Kleybanova
China: Zheng, Yan, Zhang, Sun (no Na Li in the mix there)

Winner: Russia. Easily.

Italy: Pennetta, Schiavone, Vinci, Errani
France: Cornet, Mauresmo, Bremond, Dechy

Winner: France. Edging It.

C Republic: Benesova, Kvitova, Safarova, Peschke
Spain: Suarez Navarro, Llagostera Vives, Martinez Sanchez, Dominguez Lino

Winner: Czech Republic

USA: Mattek, Craybas, Oudin, Huber
Argentina: Dulko, Esperon, Jozami, Salut (who?)

Winner: USA

Open GDF Suez: The scheduled return of Maria Sharapova to the indoor Parisian courts. Anna Chakvetadze is the defending champion here but is not scheduled to return. New Australian Open champ and world number one Serena Williams headlines, with a stellar cast of Elena Dementieva, Sharapova, Agnieszka Radwanska, Alize Cornet, Katarina Srebotnik, Amelie Mauresmo, Patty Schnyder and Nicole Vaidisova. Watch out for Russians like Alisa Kleybanova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Ekaterina Makarova to spring a few surprises.

PTT Pattaya Women's Open: Defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska will not be in Thailand to defend her title as she is in Paris instead. Another blow for fans is that Sania Mirza appears not to be playing here either. However, the cast is still looking deliciously appealing, with Vera Zvonareva, Nadia Petrova, Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka heading their way. You can also rely on Tamarine Tanasugarn to fly the flag for the home nation.

Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships: Anyone who is anyone in the tennis world is set to be here. All of the top ten players are scheduled to make an appearance, plus Maria Sharapova will hopefully play. Alisa Kleybanova, at 32nd in the world, is the lowest ranked player on the direct acceptance list. This should be a fantastic tournament.

Regions Morgan Keegan Championships: This Memphis event has been around for donkey's years, but putting in the same week as the Dubai event has clearly caused plyer turnout problems. It boasts Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka, but the next highest player according to their website is former champion Sofia Arvidsson, ranked 55th in the world. This tournament could produce a surprising champ.

Copa Sony Ericsson Colsanitas: The Bogota tournament has clearly lost out to its other rivals for this week. Flavia Pennetta is a perennial here, and will be looking for another title on clay. Aleksandra Wozniak, Australian Open starlet Carla Suarez Navarro, Gisela Dulko, Tathiana Garbin, defending champion Nuria Llagostera Vives, Klara Zakopalova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova round out the top eight here. Watch out for up-and-coming players Masa Zec Peskiric and home favourite Mariana Duque Marino.

Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC: The clay continues here in Acapulco. Defending champion Flavia Pennetta will be there, but the star attraction on show here will be Venus Williams. Other players coming for some Mexican sunshine will be Aleksandra Wozniak, Maria Kirilenko, Kaia Kanepi, Carla Suarez Navarro and Gisela Dulko.

Monterrey Open: A new tournament for the WTA. This is the second of their Mexican tour but will be played on hard instead of clay. Early entries include Agnieszka Radwanska, Flavia Pennetta, Agnes Szavay, Marion Bartoli, Carla Suarez Navarro, Jie Zheng, Lucie Safarova, Alla Kudryavtseva and Maria Kirilenko will all be there. This is the final tournament before the Indian Wells - Miami double, so it's crucial for some quick preparation.