MKRob Sports

Serena Williams has qualified for the Sony Ericsson Championships – Doha 2009, set to take place for the second year in a row at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, from October 27 to November 1. World No.2 Williams joins world No.1 Dinara Safina, who was the first player to qualify two weeks ago.

The world’s Top 8 singles players and Top 4 doubles teams from the 2009 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour season will compete for the coveted season-ending title and a share of the record prize money of $4.45 million.

Williams has had a stellar 2009 season, winning two of the first three Grand Slams (Australian Open, Wimbledon) and reaching another final at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. She held the No.1 ranking for 11 weeks, from February 2 to April 19, before Safina took over. She also leads the prize money leaders this year with $3,950,466.

The 27-year-old has also won three doubles titles this year with Venus Williams (Australian Open, Wimbledon, Stanford); as a result, Serena and Venus Williams currently rank No.2 in the Doubles Race to Sony Ericsson Championships – Doha 2009.

“Serena has achieved great results this year, impressing everyone with her tremendous performances at the Grand Slams,” said Stacey Allaster, Chairman and CEO of the Tour. “I congratulate Serena on qualifying for the Sony Ericsson Championships and look forward to what promises to be one of the best Tour season finales in history.”