Kerber set to defend her Charleston title against a talented field

It’s the Volvo Car Open, now. But the tournament, formerly known as the Family Circle Cup, still has plenty of talent, plenty of familiar faces.
Eight of the top 24 players on the WTA tour are entered in this year’s event, which commences Saturday with qualifying play. First round action begins Monday.
The reigning champ and five past winners are entered in this year’s event, which kicks off the clay-court season.
The defending champion is Angelique Kerber, a German who is currently ranked No. 3 in the world. She used last year’s victory as a springboard for a great run that has continued in ’16. She won the first Grand Slam event of the year, taking home the top prize at the Australian Open in January.
Andrea Petkovic, the 2014 champ, will provide plenty of competition. Other winners of the Daniel Island tournament entered in the field are 2010 champ Samantha Stosur, 2009 winner Sabine Lasicki, 2007 champion Jelena Jankovic and 2002 champ and crowd favorite Venus Williams, who returns to Daniel Island after a one-year absence.
Kerber has won seven WTA titles, four of which she earned in 2015. After winning in Charleston, she continued her success, winning titles in Stuttgart, Birmingham and Stanford. She captured her first grand slam in Australia.
Kerber has made two previous appearances in Charleston, and owns a 7-1 record on the green clay in Charleston.
“I am eager to play Charleston again,” Kerber said. “The 2015 tournament was a great week for me. I was happy with how I played, and everyone in Charleston was so friendly. I’m ready to be back and defend my title at the Volvo Cars Open.”
Fellow German countrywoman, Petkovic, currently ranked World No. 21, will be making her fourth appearance in Charleston and has had great success, with an 11-2 record. After winning the Family Circle Cup in 2014, she made the semifinals last April. Petkovic has six WTA titles, most recently winning in Bad Gastein and Sofia after Charleston in 2014, and Antwerp in 2015.
“Charleston holds a special place in my heart because it’s where I won my first ever premier title,” said Petkovic. “It’s no secret that I love playing this tournament – the energy is relaxed, the fans are encouraging and the green

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