MOSCOW, Russia – WTA World No.1 Simona Halep has confirmed her presence at the VTB Kremlin Cup.
The Romanian won the event in 2013 and is seeking to end the year as the No.1 both in the WTA Ranking and the Porsche Race to Singapore, in which she currently holds a lead of over 1,700 points to second-placed Angelique Kerber.
Halep, who is the top seed in the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open this week, in which she will face Dominika Cibulkova in the round of 32, is looking forward to competing in Russia.
“I won my first title here in Moscow in 2013 and can say the tournament has a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to compete in front of these brilliant fans,” she said.
“The motivation is still there. I really want to finish at No.1 again. I have a chance, but I have to take it."
The 26-year-old is seeking to round out what has been the most successful year of her career to date in style. After reaching the final of the Australian Open, she claimed a maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, where she defeated Sloane Stephens over three sets in the final.
Furthermore, she has also reached at least the semifinals of all the previous four Premier 5 events this year, picking up the win at the Canadian Open.
This will be Halep’s first return to the Kremlin Cup since she defeated Samantha Stosur, 7-6(1), 6-2, in the 2013 final, and cited a desire to revamp her preparation for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, for which she and Kerber have already qualified.
"I want to change something before Singapore," Halep explained at the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open. "The last three years, I lost in the groups. I have it in my head that some more matches can help me, and if everything is ok with my back, I'll go to play.
"Year-end No.1, if it's going to happen, it's going to happen. I wouldn't play just for that. I just want to change something."
The tournament runs from October 15-20.
