Eager Clijsters arrives early for first visit to Doha

Oct 24, 2010, 13:32 GMT

Doha, Qatar - Kim Clijsters has begun training in Doha for the WTA Championships starting Tuesday as she competes for the first time since winning the US Open nearly two months ago.

Clijsters, who doubled-up as champion in New York in September when she beat Vera Zvonareva in the final, travelled to the eight-woman season showdown without her husband and daughter.

The Belgian, only former champion in the field as winner in 2002 and 2003 when the event was played in Los Angeles, has been dealing with a foot infection over the past month after the removal of a wart developed complications.

'It's my first time in this part of the world. Sand as far as you can see, stylish buildings,' she wrote on her website.

The 27-year-old is one of the strong favourites in a field which is missing both Williams sisters - who closed out their seasons early after playing only a handful of 2010 events.

World number one Caroline Wozniacki heads entry, which also includes, Wimbledon and US Open finalist Vera Zvonareva, French Open champion Francesca Schiavone, Jelena Jankovic, Samantha Stosur, Elena Dementieva and Victoria Azarenka, who tuned up Sunday by winning the Kremlin Cup in Moscow.

Read more about Qatar

Read more about Tennis WTA