Kim Clijsters leads an all-star field for the second of back-to-back WTA Premier events in Carlsbad, California.
Clijsters makes her much anticipated return to the tour after an injury disrupted few months. There are few better players on the American hard courts and Clijsters will seek to win a fourth US Open title in New York next month.
Last year this event was held in San Diego and Svetlana Kuznetsova was a shock champion, defeating Agnieszka Radwanska in the final. ‘Kuzy’ has been able to play a full schedule this year but she’s been unable to get back to her slam winning best.
Radwanska remains as solid as ever, consistent in the smaller tournaments but like close friend Victoria Azarenka, she’s yet to deliver in the slams. The quarter-finals are as far as it’s got for Poland’s top player.
It was always going to be hard for Vera Zvonareva to top her incredible 2010 season and unsurprisingly, this year has been a bit of an anti-climax for the Russian. She’s more comfortable on hard courts than clay or grass but she’s got a lot to live up to over the next month.
It will be fascinating to see how the couple of young Germans in the top 20 fare over the next month. Julia Goerges and Andrea Petkovic will be very keen to prove that their spring success was no fluke and both should be among the top eight seeds for this event.
Don’t count out Ana Ivanovic either. She’s not done much this year but will be very happy to be back in California.
