Sabalenka, Muguruza Head Open Doha Field

Eight of the Top 10 women’s players have assembled for the WTA 1000 in Doha this week.

The loaded 56-draw event boasts numerous big names but no clear favorite.

Aryna Sabalenka, who has been struggling with her serve, is the top seed followed by Barbora Krejcikova, Paula Badosa, Anett Kontaveit, Garbine Muguruza, Maria Sakkari and Iga Swiatek.

Angelique Kerber, Elise Mertens, Coco Gauff, Elina Svitolina, defending champion Petra Kvitova, Victoria Azarenka, Simona Halep, Sofia Kenin and Dubai winner Jelena Ostapenko are also in the field.

Halep, Kenin and Kvitova are all unseeded!

Sabalenka, who fell to Kvitova last week in Dubai, could face Liudmila Samsonova in her opener, then possibly the struggling Angelique Kerber in the third round with either Swiatek or Elena Rybakina in the quarters.

The third-seeded Badosa could be a good pick. She’s slated to meet Gauff or Halep in her third round (Gauff-Halep second round!!), then either Sakkari of Jessica Pegula in the quarters.

In the bottom half, the third quarter appears to be headlined by Kontaveit who has won her last 20 matches, but indoors! Kvitova, who is playing better, Mertens and Ons Jabeur are also in the mix.

French champs Krejcikova and Ostapenko could meet in the third round with the Muguruza-Azarenka winner waiting in the wings.

Earlier today, the event got underway with Danish sensation Clara Tauson upsetting Belinda Bencic in three sets. Jessica Pegula, Sorana Cirstea and Madison Brengle also advanced.

Last year, Kvitova took the title when it was a 500 event, defeating Muguruza in the final.

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