ISTANBUL, Turkey - All in one shot, Angelique Kerber, Petra Kvitova and Sara Errani have booked their places in the eight woman singles field at the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships - Istanbul 2012, to take place at the Sinan Erdem Arena from October 23 to 28 - just a few weeks away.
"I would like to congratulate Angelique, Petra and Sara on qualifying for the WTA Championships," said WTA Chairman & CEO Stacey Allaster. "Angelique and Sara have achieved their career-best seasons, while Petra has solidified her position in the world's Top 5 and is a proven contender at any tournament. As we approach the final weeks of the season, we still have a number of players locked in an exciting competition for the final singles and doubles places."
Kerber's season has been highlighted by her first two WTA titles at Paris [Indoors] and Copenhagen, two more finals at Eastbourne and Cincinnati (and she barely lost those finals) and another six semifinals, including her second Grand Slam semifinal at Wimbledon. She cracked the Top 10 just before the French Open and is currently the WTA's match win leader for the season.
"This has been the best year of my career," said Kerber, the first German to play the season finale since Anke Huber in 2001. "To have the opportunity to play at the WTA Championships will be an amazing way to end 2012."
Kvitova sizzled during the summer hardcourt season, winning WTA titles at Montréal and New Haven - those results helped her win the Emirates Airline US Open Series. She also made another five semifinals during the year, including Grand Slam semifinals at the Australian Open and French Open.
"I'm so happy to have qualified again for the WTA Championships - it's always an honor to defend a title, and to do so in Istanbul makes it extra special," said Kvitova, the defending champion. "It has been a challenging year, so to finish among the Top 8 is really rewarding. I had a great time in Istanbul last year and I look forward to returning and trying to play my best for the fans in Turkey
Re: 2012 RACE TO ISTANBUL YEC (After Tokyo) - 4 players qualified, 4 spots left for g
Yes. Either one win in Beijing [4726] or one win in Moscow [4645] will be enough against Bartoli [maximum 4640, who needs to win both Beijing & Moscow, which seems very unlikely.]
2012 RACE TO ISTANBUL YEC (After Moscow) - Race completed, Groups draw released!
Duan Peng Wang Zhang Zhang Zheng Zheng Zhou 
Dulgheru Flipkens Muguruza A Radwanska Rybarikova 
Golden Flowers 
