Victoria Azarenka is back in action as the Qatar Ladies Open 2012 gets underway in Doha on February 13th.
As an WTA Premier tournament it always attracts a stellar field and most of the world's top 20 are in action in the Gulf for this event with Maria Sharapova, Li Na, Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams the main omissions.
Azarenka will be the favourite after her superb performances in Sydney and Melbourne at the start of the year. The world number one lost in the first round on her only Doha appearance to date last year but the medium paced hard courts should suit her.
Petra Kvitova has improved a vast amount in the past twelve months and it's difficult to write her off but the likes of Azarenka, Caroline Wozniacki and Vera Zvonareva will find it easier to wear her down on this surface.
Zvonareva won the title last year, beating Wozniack in straight sets in the final. The Russian will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing Australian Open while Wozniacki may find things a little easier after the pressure of being world number one was lifted from her back following Azarenka's success down under.
