The $650 000 Stuttgart Open tier-two tournament is holding some of the best performers next week. Serena Williams, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Amelie Mauresmo, Anna Chakvetadze, Elena Dementieva, Martina Hingis and defending champion Nadia Petrova are all playing.

Justine Henin leads the pack: The number one seed is Belgian’s pride and joy, Coming off her unbeaten North American campaign which saw her win titles in Toronto and New York, this year has arguably been her best as she has collected an amazing seven titles and still remains on the hunt for more. The year has also seen her get over a frustrating divorce and she is reunited with her family. Justine will be making her debut in Stuttgart and she will want to start it off in style. But as many other Grand Slam winners, Justine now faces the challenging question, can she continue the winning form?

Serena struggling on comeback: The thumb injury sustained at Wimbledon ruled out Serena Williams from her US Open warm-up events. She didn’t look at her best in Flushing Meadows but she stated that she was improving every round. Henin took the American out in the quarter-final and we have yet to see Serena in action since. But Serena is all about heroic comebacks and be sure to see one heck of a fight come next week. Serena will also be making her debut in Stuttgart. A year that has seen her come through the Australian Open despite the humiliating odds has reminded everyone to never underestimate Serena Williams. There is no real guarantee how the tournament will pan out for her, but one thing we do know is that Serena will turn up with a champion’s belief.

'This year has arguably been Henin's best as she has collected an amazing seven titles'


Svetlana Kuznetsova showing off: Delight for the Russian as she is finally strutting her stuff at No.2. Reaching the US Open final for the second time has been her highlight of the year, as well as capturing her ninth career title in New Haven. She has also reached four other finals this year, three of them being in the tier one calibre. She gained one of the most competitive and hardest titles around as the No.1 Russian. Her lethal play pitches her as a big threat in Stuttgart. Her best performances here are two semi-final appearances, last year she lost to eventual champion Nadia Petrova in the final four stage. The Russian is more than capable of taking a tier two title but given the way Justine beat her in the US Open final, can she overcome the Belgian?

Tough life for the defending champion: Petrova has yet to take a title since prevailing in Paris earlier this year. Remember, she came in to the 2006 French Open as the heavy favourite, but injury derailed all her chances.

The Serbian sensations in the form of Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic are also in the tournament and come off a great run of form  Also flying the flag of Russia with Kuznetsova and Petrova is Anna Chakvetadze, Elena Dementieva and Dinara Safina. Maria Sharapova has pulled out with injury, Amelie Mauresmo continues her return, Marion Bartoli is also hoping for more glory and Tatiana Golovin wants to add to her second title she pulled off recently. Switzerland’s Martina Hingis and Patty Schnyder are pitching well and Daniela Hantuchova is also topping the field coming in.

Who will take all in Germany? How will the tournament pan out for Serena and Justine? Post a comment below or submit an article to Sportingo.