Doha: Two-time former champion Victoria Azarenka has been confirmed as a singles wildcard for the 2015 Qatar Total Open.
The winner of the 2012 and 2013 titles in Doha is keen to return to the city where she has gained so much success and a tournament she always states that she loves.
Azarenka intended to play last year but she was injured. Now, it appears she is well and truly over her injuries having put in a quality performance at the recent Australian Open.
She reached the fourth round at the first Grand Slam of the year with classy wins over Sloane Stephens, Caroline Wozniacki and Barbora Zhalavova Strycova before being beaten by Dominkia Cibulkova.
She has two Grand Slam titles to her credit — the Australian Open 2012 and 2013 — and was a finalist at the US Open in the same years.
Azarenka enters the tournament with a ranking of 41, however, she had reached the position of world No. 1 in January 2012.
“Victoria Azarenka is extremely popular with fans in Qatar. She is a two-time winner on the court and a winner off the court with her wonderful personality,” said Qatar Total Open Tournament Director Saad Al Mohannadi.
“Even with major injuries in 2014, she still made an impact around the world, particularly at Grand Slams. So far this year she has shown her form by beating top players at the Australian Open. The Qatar Tennis Federation knows Victoria Azarenaka will be an asset to the tournament and knows spectators will appreciate her skill when she plays.”
Despite her injuries last year she still managed to make the final at Brisbane and the quarters at the 2014 Australian Open as well as the US Open.
Already confirmed for the Qatar Total Open are six top-10 ranked players — world number three and defending champion Simona Halep, current Wimbledon champion and world number four-ranked Petra Kvitova. Also playing are Agnieszka Radwanska from Poland who is number six in the WTA rankings, Caroline Wozniacki ranked number eight, Germany’s Angelique Kerber ranked number nine and Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova ranked number 10 in the world.
Also in the player acceptance list are seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams, former US Open winner Sam Stosur from Australia and two-time Grand Slam winner Svetlana Kuznetsova
The tournament will be held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex from February 23-28 with qualifying taking place on February 21 and 22. Tickets are available online at www.qatartennis.org and at City Center, Landmark, Lagoona, Villaggio and on-site at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
THE PENINSULA
