Women's world tennis number one Dinara Safina is the first player to qualify for the season-ending WTA Championships in Doha.
The 23-year-old Russian has held the top spot since April and will look to improve on her performance in 2008 when she lost all three group matches to the Williams sisters and compatriot Elena Dementieva.
Safina has come under criticism from American number two Serena Williams, holder of the U.S. Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon titles, for her top ranking despite not having won a grand slam.
The season-ending championships in October will be contested by the world's top eight singles players.
