At the end of each season, the top eight women tennis players compete for the last trophy of the year. This year Madrid will host the prestigious tournament, just as it did last year.

Players are split into two groups and two separate round robins take place, until two remain in each group. The second best player (judged on their performance in round robin) swap places. The semis take place and then the final. Defending champion Justine Henin has already qualified along with Jelena Jankovic.

Henin leads the way:  With 3,245 ranking points collected this year, it was inevitable that Justine would be the first to qualify. The composed Belgium has collected five titles this year - Roland Garros, Dubai, Doha, Warsaw and Eastbourne. This is the seventh time in a row that Justine has qualified for the season ending championships, but she didn't compete in 2004 and 2005.

'Big opportunities like the US Open still remain, which could really alter the flow of the race to the championships'


She sailed to the title last year with wins over Nadia Petrova, Martina Hingis, Maria Sharapova and Amelie Mauresmo. The Belgium is  eager to take on the challenge of defending her crown and said: " I am proud of the fact that for the second year in the row, i am the first to qualify for the Sony Ericsson championships."

Jankovic qualifies for first time: Also known as JJ, Jelena has been pegged as a workaholic. It was only a matter of time until she qualified. Her dedication to tennis has been outstanding. She has competed in 18 tournaments this year and counting. She has collected four titles - Auckland, Charleston, Rome and Birmingham.

She is also the first Serbian woman ever to qualify. Behind Henin, the Serbian has collected 2,990 ranking points, but after her third round lose in San Diego this week she will break through the 3,000 ranking points barrier. Jelena sais: " I really can't believe it. Here i am, No 3 in the world and qualifying for the Sony Ericsson Championships at this point of the season. It's amazing."

On their way: Six spots remain, but who are guarding them? Next in line in terms of points is the Serbian sensation, Ana Ivanovic at No 3. Hard-hitting Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova looks almost certain to make Madrid at No 4. She may be injured, but when has that ever stopped her! Serena Williams sits firmly at No 5. She is really coming out this year. Russia's Ana Chakvetadze takes hold of No 6. An injury-plagued season isn't going to derail Maria Sharapova on her path to the Championships.  She grabs No 7. Not even her sister can put her off, as Venus Williams is hungry for more success at No 8.

Behind these, Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova is ready to pounce at No 9. France's Marion Bartoli and the Czech Republic's up-and-coming Nicole Vaidisova, are joined to the hip at No 10. Champion in 2005, Amelie Mauresmo of France sits at No 12 with Russia's Dinara Safina at No 13, while Nadia Petrova is on her tail at no.14.

Israel's super star Shahar Peer is firmly placed at No 15, Switzerland's Martina Hingis and Patty Schnyder hold of 16 and 17, and Austrian mother, Sybille Bammer, has No 18. The elegant Russian, Elena Dementieva, is at No 19 and French superstar Tatiana Golovin at .20. Big opportunities like the US Open still remain, which could really alter the flow of the race to the championships.