DOHA, February 19, 2016

Reigning Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber leads the field of the Qatar Total Open in Doha next week. The world number two arrived at the airport on Friday and receives a bye in the opening round, taking on the winner of the encounter between Saisai Zheng and Varvara Lepchenko to start her title quest.

Second seed Simona Halep either faces Caroline Garcia or a qualifier. World number four Agnieszka Radwanska, Spaniards Garbine Murguruza and Carla Suarez Navarro, as well as Petra Kvitova, Belinda Bencic and defending champion Lucie Safarova complete the top eight. World number one Serena Williams withdrew from the WTA Premier event with a total prize money of $2,818,000 due to illness.

Main Draw Ceremony (photo: QTF)