Reem Abdulleil looks at the women who will be hoping to be in contention come the end of this week in Dubai as well as those who might cause an upset at this year's Championships.
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) (above)
WTA Ranking: 8
Serbia’s No1 enjoyed an impressive run last season where she managed to return to the world’s top-eight and make the semi-finals of the WTA year-end championships. She’s got a residency in Dubai and frequently spends her pre-season training here. This will be her ninth appearance in the tournament, where she has made the semis or better on five occasions.
In numbers: 17 – wins in 25 matches in Dubai, 13 – WTA titles won by Jankovic in her career
Serena Williams (USA)
WTA Ranking: 1
Age: 32
Best result in Dubai: Semi-finalist 2005, 2009
The world No1 will be looking to win a maiden title in Dubai in her first tournament since her fourth round loss in Melbourne last month. She will be testing her back, which has been injured since the Australian Open, hoping to get some matches in before Miami next month. With huge serves and an aggressive style, Williams is always a crowd pleaser.
In numbers: 80 – aces hit by Serena this season in just 2 tournaments, 17 – Grand Slam singles titles won by Serena, the 1st coming in 1999
Petra Kvitova (CZE)
WTA Ranking: 6
Age: 23
Best result in Dubai: Winner 2013
The defending champion suffered a shock first round defeat to the unheralded Luksika Kumkhum at the Australian Open last month and pulled out of the Paris Open soon after, citing respiratory problems. The former Wimbledon champion will be looking to get back on track and keeping her Dubai crown will go a long way in restoring her confidence.
In numbers: 7 – straight slams without advancing past the 1/4 finals, 11 WTA titles on her resume including 1 Grand Slam
Anna Ivanovic (SRB)
WTA Ranking: 12
Age: 26
Best result in Dubai: Quarter-finalist 2008, 2009, 2012
Has had a great start to 2014, capturing the title in Auckland and making the quarters in Melbourne, beating Serena Williams en route. She is yet to replicate the form that saw her win the French Open back in 2008 but her new all-Serbian team, comprising coach Nemanja Kontic, fitness coach Zlatko Novkovic and physio Branko Penic, seems to be giving her the boost she needs.
In numbers: 2 – 1/4 finals reached in her last 23 Grand Slams, 12 WTA titles amassed in her career
Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)
WTA Ranking: 4
Age: 24
Best result in Dubai: Winner 2012
Has made the quarter-finals or better on her last four trips to Dubai. Will be the second seed behind Serena Williams and reached the semi-finals in Doha last week. Lost heavily to Dominika Cibulkova in the Australian Open semifinals last month and is yet to make a second Grand Slam final since she finished runner-up at Wimbledon in 2012.
In numbers: 13 – WTA titles won including 10 on hard courts, 73 – per cent winning record in Grand Slams
Dark horses
Venus Williams (USA)
WTA Ranking: 48
Age: 33
Best result in Dubai: Winner 2009, 2010
The American has not played in Dubai since she defended her title in 2010, which means she is on a 10-match winning streak in the Emirates. She lost a great three-setter against Kvitova last week and appears to be in good form.
Sorana Cirstea (ROU)
WTA Ranking: 26
Age: 23
Best result in Dubai: Second round 2013
The Romanian big-hitter should be well-suited to the fast courts in Dubai. She had a bad start to 2014, losing her first three matches but she recovered to make the quarters in Pattaya. Often suffers from slow starts in her matches.