It is Victoria Azarenka who has benefited from Serena Williams’ withdrawal from the Sony Ericsson Championships, taking the last eighth berth in the singles draw.
Even though Li Na is currently ranked higher in the Race to the Sony Ericsson Championships, with five points more she is one spot ahead of Azarenka, but Li lost in the first round of this week’s Kremlin Cup while Azarenka moved into the second round with a victory 6-4 2-6 6-1 over Andrea Petkovic. Li is now the first substitute.
It will be the Belorussian’s second straight appearance in Doha. Last year she lost in the round-robin stage – she defeated Jelena Jankovic, but lost to Caroline Wozniacki and Agnieszka Radwanska. (photo: © Neal Trousdale)
