ZHUHAI, October 17, 2017

Two-time Grand Slam champion and former World No.1 Angelique Kerber is among the top players closing in on a place in the final line-up for this year’s WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai, which begins on October 31st.

Kerber, currently ranked 18 on the Shine in Zhuhai Leaderboard, faces an anxious wait until the 12 singles participants are revealed on Tuesday 24th October. Kerber is competing in Luxembourg this week, where she is due to face Monica Puig in the opening round.

Reigning US Open champion Sloane Stephens appears almost certain to qualify for the 12-player singles field. Her fellow American Coco Vandeweghe, who has reached the Australian Open and US Open semi-finals this year, is set to join Stephens in the Zhuhai line-up.

Anastasia Sevastova, in-form Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (who won last week in Hong Kong), Elena Vesnina and breakthrough Australian star Ashleigh Barty could also crown stand-out 2017 seasons with an appearance at the season-ending showcase.

World No.19 Elena Vesnina who competed in Zhuhai in 2016, said: “It’s a really prestigious event; the best from the best are playing there. I was there last year and I really liked it. The facilities and the organisation are great and the city is beautiful. So I really have good memories from Zhuhai.

It’s been a good season whatever happens. I’m happy, I’m healthy and if I’m going to be in Zhuhai then that’s a really good cherry on the cake at the end of the season.”

The latest Shine in Zhuhai Leaderboard appears below.  Final standings could be affected by results at WTA Tour events in Luxembourg and Moscow. Alternates from the WTA Finals in Singapore are also eligible to play in Zhuhai.

WTA Elite Trophy Standings