The season-ending WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai, to be held in Hengqin New Area from 30 October to 4 November 2018, has announced its full lineup.

Chinese players Wang Qiang and Zhang Shuai, both of Tianjin, will face off in the singles draw for the first time during the fourth edition of the tournament. However, they can expect stiff competition from the likes of Spain’s two-time Grand Slam champion, Garbine Muguruza.

Eleven players ranked between 9th to 19th in the WTA’s final rankings for the season take part each year, with Wang – China’s top female player after reaching a career-high world ranking of 22 this year – becoming the first Chinese player to qualify for this event since its debut in 2015. Compatriot Zhang enters the event as a wildcard.

Joining the prominent list of players at the Hengqin International Tennis Center are 2017 US Open runner-up Madison Keys and defending champion Julia Goerges.

The field also includes world #10 Daria Kasatkina of Russia, #11 Anastasija Sevastova from Latvia, Russian #12 Aryna Sabalenka, #14 Elise Mertens of Belgium, #16 Caroline Garcia of France, #19 Ashleigh Barty of Australia and #20 Anett Kontaveit of Estonia who secured late entry due to another player’s withdrawal.

The players will compete in four round-robin groups of three, with the winners of each advancing to the semi-finals. The six teams competing in the doubles event will be split into two round robins, with the winner of each advancing to the final.

Retired tennis legend Steffi Graf returns as event ambassador and will interact with Zhuhai tennis fans on 3 November. An accompanying outdoor food festival will add flavor to the WTA action.

WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai is a professional women’s tennis tournament on the WTA Tour and one of the top women’s tennis tournaments in China, along with the China Open, Shanghai Masters and Wuhan Open. It is organized by Huafa Group and operated by Huafa Sports.