Our 2009 runner-up began 2011 in Auckland, where she made the second round as the #7 seed, but was forced to retire with illness.

Her best result in 2011 was a runner-up finish at the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, where she beat #2 seed Sam Stosur, #12 seed Julia Goerges and #11 seed Peng Shaui before losing to world #1 Caroline Wozniacki.

Her WTA season ended with a first-round loss at the US Open, as a left wrist injury forced her to withdraw from the Toyko and Beijing tournaments. Elena was called up to compete in the Fed Cup final as Russia took on the Czech Republic, where she and compatriot Maria Kirilenko lost their doubles match as the Czech team won the title.

Elena has become part of one of the WTA's top doubles teams with Indian Sania Mirza. The duo won two titles in 2011 (Indian Wells and Charleston), and Elena took the title in Linz with NZ's Marina Erakovic.

She ended the season ranked #57 in singles and #10 in doubles.