Popular Slovak Daniela Hantuchova leads the field at this week's Bell Challenge in Quebec City.
Hantuchova, the former world number five, is currently ranked just outside the top 20 but she's surprised a number of the top players this year, beating Caroline Wozniacki at the French Open. More inconsistent than in her heyday, Hantuchova crashed out in the first round of the US Open hampered a little by a hand injury but she's still very much a title contender in these smaller events as she showed in the summer, reaching the Birmingham final.
The Bell Challenge has been won by the likes of Maria Sharapova, Lindsay Davenport and Jennifer Capriati in the past but there's no one of that ilk in the 2011 field, mainly down to the scheduling of the tournament just after the US Open.
However instead there's a chance to get a glimpse of some stars of the future. Austria's Tamira Paszek won this title last year and after promising a breakthrough for a little while, she reached the quarters at Wimbledon.
Also watch out for Britain's Heather Watson who nearly stunned Maria Sharapova at Flushing Meadows as well as the hugely talented 17 year old Caroline Garcia who finished runner-up in the girls singles. Melanie Oudin's singles form has been dire recently but after winning the US Open mixed doubles title her confidence will have been given a big boost.
Home interest comes from the big serving Rebecca Marino who's already been inside the top 40 this year at just 20. Marino made the Memphis final earlier this season and could challenge strongly this week as fourth seed.
