Can Kvitova or Errani Spring a Surprise?
While most of the attention at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships next week will fall on world number one and two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka, and superstar Serena Williams, holder of the Wimbledon, Olympics and US Open crowns, they will not be alone as strong challengers for the title.
Petra Kvitova has proved over and over again that she can win at the very highest level by not only reaching number 2 in the rankings and lifting the Wimbledon trophy in 2011 but leading the Czech Republic to the Fed Cup title in both 2011 and 2012.
Another player capable of staging an upset is Sara Errani, who last year was the most improved elite player on the WTA Tour. She enjoyed an astonishing rise up the rankings in 2012, beginning the year ranked 45 and ending at number six. Her success in singles was matched on the doubles court too, where she rose from 27 to world number one.
This year the Italian has continued in similar fashion by reaching the final of the Paris Indoor event in singles, while in doubles she advanced to the Sydney final before winning titles at the Australian Open and Paris.
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Feb 15, 2013
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