Caroline Wozniacki leads a field containing seven of the world's top ten at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix this week in Stuttgart.
Stuttgart is the first of the big European clay-court events and as Premier event it has attracted the best in the world. Wozniacki is strong favourite after winning the Charleston title a couple of weeks ago but the Dane has never produced her very best on the European clay in the past.
World number five Victoria Azarenka is another strong contender. Azarenka is in red hot form right now after claiming the Sony Ericsson Open a few weeks ago before hot-footing it straight to Marbella and making light of the quick surface change to win another title there.
It will be fascinating to see how Francesca Schiavone performs in the lead-up to the defence of her French Open title. Schiavone made the tough decision not to compete in Italy's Fed Cup tie with Russia at the weekend to concentrate on her clay court preparations.
It has been an ordinary year for Sam Stosur but the Aussie always produces her best on clay where her fitness and heavy topspin strokes are most effective. She reached the Stuttgart final last year and will be looking to perform strongly again.
World number three Vera Zvonareva arrives in Germany fresh from helping Russia reach the Fed Cup final at the weekend. Zvonareva will have to deal with a rapid surface change having spent the last week training on a fast indoor court.
Watch out for top German Andrea Petkovic who made the Miami semi-finals a few weeks ago and will be sure to get plenty of support from her home fans.
