The stars are coming out on week one, even uncharacteristically on the women’s side, as current No. 1 Novak Djokovic and former top dogs Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Lleyton Hewitt, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic compete at four events in week one of 2015.

Women’s Seeds: Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Petra Kvitova, Maria Sharapova, Agnieszka Radwanska, Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber, Eugenie Bouchard, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Sara Errani, Ekaterina Makarova, Lucie Safarova, Flavia Pennetta, Andrea Petkovic, Venus Williams

Notes: It’s the debut of the Premier 5 Series event in China…Victoria Azarenka pulls from the event with a foot injury, and announces she will miss the rest of the year…Potential tough starts include (1) Serena Williams after a bye vs. her nemesis Cornet, the struggling (6) Bouchard after a bye vs. the resurgent Peng, (4) Sharapova after a bye vs. countrywoman and former world No. 2 Kuznetsova, (5) Radwanska after a bye vs. the Venus/Garcia winner, (16) Petkovic vs. the comer (Q) Vekic, (12) Cibulkova vs. the big-hitting Keys, and (14) Safarova vs. the likewise big-hitting Lisicki…

Women’s Notes: Potential tough first-rounders went to (1) Serena vs. the former Slam winner Stosur, (7) Bouchard vs. Kuznetsova, (5) Sharapova vs. the Cornet/Keys winner, and (16) Safarova vs. Venus…Wildcards went to Americans Lauren Davis and Christina McHale, and Swiss Belinda Bencic…Pulling from the event were Li Na and Yvonne Meusburger…Last year Azarenka beat Serena Williams in the final…Returning champs in the field are Azarenka (2013), Sharapova (2011), and Jankovic (2009).

It was Williams’ third Stanford title, her fourth title of the year, and her 61st career title. She rose to only No. 4 in the 2014-only standings in the road to qualifying for the WTA year-end championships.

A Canadian will win in Washington today, which one will it be?

Notes: Loaded field with a slew of floaters testing seeds early…Li Na out with a knee injury…The Top 8 seeds receive first-round byes…

Serena Williams stay on track for a third Stanford title while David Goffin has quietly won 20 straight matches!

Notes: Solid field with four Top 10ers and two unseeded Slam champs…The Top 4 seeds receive opening round byes, with tough starts for (5) Ivanovic vs. Lisicki, (4) Azarenka after a bye likely vs. (WC) Venus, (3) Kerber likely vs. Vandeweghe, (7) Suarez Navarro vs. Puig, and (2) Radwanska likely vs. Garcia…Wildcards went to Americans Kristie Ahn and Venus, and Azarenka…Pulling from the tournament were Sara Errani and Petra Kvitova…Cibulkova beat Radwanska in last year’s final…Venus is 2-4 in Stanford finals…Martina Navratilova (5-4) has reached the most Stanford finals in the tournament’s history…Returning champs in the field are Cibulkova (2013), Serena Williams (2012-11), Azarenka (2010), and Venus Williams (2002,’00).

“I think I was in a bit of a zone out there,” the 19-year-old wildcard told the BBC. “It hasn’t sunk in what just played out out there. I played extraordinary tennis. I was struggling a bit on return, but I worked my way into it. I served at a really good level and I’m really happy. You’ve got to believe you can win the match from the start and I did. I’m playing unbelievable tennis on the grass.”