Players looking to qualify for the WTA Finals are adding events to their schedule in an attempt to gain entry into the eight-player field.
Angelique Kerber, who fell in the quarterfinals of Beijing, has taken a wildcard into Hong Kong, where Venus Williams is also scheduled to play. Lucie Safarova, returning to tour following an infection that led to hospitalization, has taken a wildcard into Linz. Flavia Pennetta had already accepted a wildcard into Tianjin, where the field includes Agnieszka Radwanska and Karolina Pliskova.
Radwanska has also decided to enter Moscow the following week, where Carla Suarez Navarro is also looking to compete.
With Serena Wiliams having announced she is ending her season early, there are five spots still open in Singapore, and 11 players in contention: Petra Kvitova, Kerber, Safarova, Pennetta, Radwanska, Suarez Navarro,Venus Williams, Pliskova, Belinda Bencic, Timea Bacsinszky and Ana Ivanovic.
Maria Sharapova, Garbine Muguruza and Simona Halep have already qualified.