Sport
Serena Williams to face Petra Kvitova in WTA Championships which begin Tuesday
Serena Williams with the US Open Trophy, September 8, 2013. PHOTO/Getty Images
World No.1 and top-ranked titleholder Serena Williams will face former winner Petra Kvitova in her group at the WTA Championships, which start Tuesday in Istanbul.
Sunday’s draw for the event that brings together the top eight players in the world also put Agnieszka Radwanska and Angelique Kerber in Williams’ Red Group.
Second-ranked Victoria Azarenka heads the White Group, which also includes Li Na, Sara Errani and Jelena Jankovic. Third-ranked Maria Sharapova pulled out of the event because of a shoulder injury.
Williams, making her eighth appearance in the event, is looking to become the first player to successfully defend the title since Justine Henin in 2007. If she achieves the feat, she would tie Chris Evert for third most WTA Championships with her fourth.
“It’s a tough group. I have to be ready. That’s the thing about this tournament and why it’s so tough, you have to be ready from the first match on,” Williams said.
Williams heads into the tournament with a career-best 10 titles this year and a 73-4 record.
Kvitova won the event in 2011 and is the only Grand Slam champion in the group, apart from Williams.
“Both of the groups are very tough and I don’t think you can choose anyone who you think is weaker,” Kvitova said. “This means that it’s going to be a big fight every day, every match.”
Azarenka and Jankovic are former No. 1 players in the world and Li and Azarenka are also Grand Slam champions.
Round-robin play runs from Tuesday to Friday, with the top two in each group advancing to Saturday’s semifinals.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press