Less than four years ago, Vera Zvonareva stood near the top of the tennis world when she reached consecutive finals at Wimbledon and the US Open.  During that breakthrough 2010 campaign, Zvonareva also climbed to the No. 2 ranking.  The Russian plummeted out of the picture soon afterward, however, with illness and a right shoulder injury.  Aborting her 2012 season after just 10 tournaments, Zvonareva underwent shoulder surgery and missed the entire 2013 season.

Many wondered whether she ever would contend again in the WTA.  Destined to turn 30 this fall, Zvonareva has established herself as one of the sport's more sophisticated minds.  She has been pursuing a degree in international economic relations at a diplomatic academy in Moscow, so she does not lack career options beyond tennis.  

But her passion for the sport brought Zvonareva back in January after a 17-month hiatus from professional competition.  She could not have received a less auspicious draw at her first event in Shenzhen shortly after New Year's Day.  Still, Zvonareva competed well in a tight loss to Li Na, the eventual champion at both Shenzhen and the Australian Open.  Less encouraging was a lackluster exit in the first round of Melbourne.  Zvonareva won just four games there from Casey Dellacqua, who did reach the second week of the Australian Open but was hardly a formidable foe.  

Needing something positive to build her confidence, the Russian returned to the WTA International event in Pattaya City this week.  Two of Zvonareva's titles had come at this Thai beach destination, and those memories surely encouraged her.  The tournament's small scale and modest draw also offered her a chance to settle into her rhythm without clashing with an elite opponent at the outset.

Seizing her opportunity, Zvonareva won her first match since the 2012 Olympics against a Thai wildcard, Peangtarn Plipuech.  Although it came against an unheralded opponent, the comfortable 6-3 6-2 scoreline will raise her spirits moving forward.  Zvonareva served reasonably well during the match, broken just once in each set, and stayed focused despite her rust in the many long games that unfolded.  She will face fourth seed Ekaterina Makarova next in a much sterner test.

The former world No. 2 has dropped to the edge of the top 1000 at No. 992, and this victory marks just a tiny step forward on her comeback trail.  But it is still a step forward and should be welcomed by Zvonareva's fans as a sign of hope.  The WTA in general, and Russian women's tennis in particular, would welcome seeing her smooth, balanced baseline game rise again.