No. 1 ranking up for grabs at Qatar Open

[February 11, 2013]  DOHA, Qatar (AP) -- Serena Williams has the chance to reclaim the No. 1 ranking at the Qatar Open, a spot the 15-time major champion has not held since October 2010.

The second-ranked Williams will become No. 1 if she reaches the semifinals of the tournament which starts Monday and features nine of the top 10 players.

If Williams falters, top-ranked Victoria Azarenka can guarantee herself the No. 1 spot by reaching the final. Third-ranked Maria Sharapova also has a chance to return to No. 1 if she wins the tournament, Williams fails to advance to the semifinals and Azarenka doesn't reach the final.

Sharapova last held the No. 1 ranking for four weeks in 2012 after the French Open.

[Associated Press]

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