Maria Sharapova and Nikolay Davydenko have been named Russia's best players in 2005, the country's tennis federation announced at its annual award gala on Saturday.
This year, Florida-based Sharapova became the first Russian woman to take the world number one spot and she also reached semi-finals at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in addition to winning three WTA singles titles.
The 18-year-old Sharapova, who finished the year as number four in the world, pipped Elena Dementieva as Russia's top female player while Ukraine-born Davydenko won the men's award ahead of Igor Andreev and Australian Open champion Marat Safin.
Dementieva led Russia to their second consecutive Fed Cup title by beating France in the final at Roland Garros.
She won both of her singles matches against Mary Pierce and Amelie Mauresmo before teaming up with Dinara Safina in the decisive doubles to clinch a thrilling 3-2 victory.
Davydenko has had the best year of his career.
The 24-year-old reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time at Roland Garros and made the last four at the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. He also led Russia to the Davis Cup semi-finals in the absence of the injured Safin.
Andreev won his first ATP titles this year, triumphing in Valencia, Palermo and Moscow, while Safin, troubled by a persistent knee injury, has had a largely disappointing season.
After winning his second Australian Open title in January, Safin has played only one tournament since Wimbledon, losing in the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters Series in August.
Russia's Fed Cup side were voted the best team for the second year in a row.
