2011 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships Preview

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Here are the eight official competitors of the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships with their corresponding achievements for the 2011 season. The $4.9 million tournament will take place in Istanbul, Turkey. Data gotten from official WTA site:

RED GROUP

(1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)
~ Third appearance at WTA Championships (5-4 record); best previous result was runner-up finish in 2010 (l. to Clijsters in final)
~ 2011 Titles (6): Dubai, Indian Wells, Charleston, Brussels, Copenhagen, New Haven
~ Best Grand Slam result in 2011: Australian Open SFs & US Open SFs
~ Record since US Open: 4-2 (Tokyo 3r, Beijing QFs)
~ Quote: “It’s a tough group, but both groups are tough. It’s all great players. I’m going in there just hoping to play my best tennis and we’ll see what happens.”

(3) Petra Kvitova (CZE)
~ First appearance at WTA Championships
~ 2011 Titles (5): Brisbane, Paris [Indoors], Madrid, Wimbledon, Linz
~ Best Grand Slam result in 2011: Won Wimbledon
~ Record since US Open: 8-2 (Tokyo SFs, Beijing 2r, Won Linz)
~ Quote: “It doesn’t matter who’s in the group. All eight players are very strong.”

(6) Vera Zvonareva (RUS)
~ Fourth direct appearance at WTA Championships (7-6 record); best previous result was runner-up finish in 2008 (l. to V.Williams)
~ 2011 Titles (2): Doha, Baku
~ Best Grand Slam result in 2011: Australian Open SFs
~ Record since US Open: 6-3 (Tokyo R-Up, Beijing 3r, Moscow QFs)
~ Quote: “All players who qualify for the Championships are the best players in the world, so it doesn’t really matter what group you’re in. All players have done an incredible job to get here. I have to play my best every single match in order to win one. That’s what I’m going to try to do.”

(8) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)
~ First direct appearance at WTA Championships (2-0 record… played and won one match as an alternate in both 2008 and 2009)
~ 2011 Titles (3): Carlsbad, Tokyo, Beijing
~ Best Grand Slam result in 2011: Australian Open QFs
~ Record since US Open: 11-1 (Won Tokyo, Won Beijing, Moscow 2r)
~ Quote: “It’s the Top 8 players in the world, the best eight players this year. I don’t think it really matters who you play here. I was the last one to get in here so I’m just going to enjoy myself and try to play my best tennis, like in Asia.”

WHITE GROUP:

(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS)
~ Fifth appearance at WTA Championships (13-5 record); best previous result was winning title in 2004 (d. S.Williams in final)
~ 2011 Titles (2): Rome, Cincinnati
~ Best Grand Slam result in 2011: Wimbledon R-Up
~ Record since US Open: 2-1 (Tokyo QFs)
~ Quote: “I think we all know what to expect going into the groups. It’s the Top 8 girls of the year. You’re going to get a tough group either way and tough opponents. It’s just a matter of being ready from the first match on.”

(4) Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
~ Third appearance at WTA Championships (2-4 record); has never passed RR stage
~ 2011 Titles (3): Miami, Marbella, Luxembourg
~ Best Grand Slam result in 2011: Wimbledon SFs
~ Record since US Open: 9-1 (Tokyo SFs, Beijing 3r, Won Luxembourg)
~ Quote from Luxembourg: “I’m very pleased to win another title. I was improving from match to match. I came here to get matches before Istanbul and of course win the tournament – everywhere I enter, I try to be the best. Everywhere I play I give all my heart and fight for every ball and I’m glad I came through this week.”

(5) Li Na (CHN)
~ First appearance at WTA Championships
~ 2011 Titles (2): Sydney, French Open
~ Best Grand Slam result in 2011: Won French Open
~ Record since US Open: 0-1 (Beijing 1r)
~ Quote: “There are two groups and both of them are tough. It’s the last tournament for the whole year and we need to show everyone we can play good tennis.”

(7) Samantha Stosur(AUS)
~ Second appearance at WTA Championships (2-2 record); best previous result was SFs in 2010 (l. to Clijsters)
~ 2011 Titles (1): US Open
~ Best Grand Slam result in 2011: Won US Open
~ Record since US Open: 4-3 (Tokyo 2r, Beijing 2r, Osaka R-Up)
~ Quote: “It’s tough, but I don’t know if any group is going to be that easy. Maria and Victoria I’ve never beaten before, so there’s a great challenge in itself. Obviously Li Na I’ve had success against, but every tournament is new. It’s going to be a tough week but I’m looking forward to it.”