SI assessment by Courtney Nguyen
Red Group: Serena Williams, Petra Kvitova, Agnieszka Radwanska and Angelique Kerber.
White Group: Victoria Azarenka, Li Na, Sara Errani and Jelena Jankovic.
Serena’s Red Group is the tougher of the two considering how well Kvitova, Radwanska and Kerber are playing. The most tantalizing match is Williams vs. Kvitova. In February, Williams beat Kvitova 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a high-quality match in Doha to reclaim the No. 1 ranking. Kvitova is 0-4 against Wiliams, but their last three matches have turned on a handful of points. Radwanska will try to play the spoiler. She’s a combined 1-11 against the powerful Williams and Kvitova, with her lone win coming against an ill Kvitova here last year.
In the White Group, Azarenka is coming off a disappointing Asian swing, while Li and Jankovic enjoyed a confidence-boosting fall. Azarenka does have winning records over the three women in her group. She took some time off to recharge after losing early at the China Open, spending some time in Switzerland and Australia to visit her boyfriend, Redfoo, who is Down Under judging The X Factor. Look for Azarenka and Li to come out of this group, though a relaxed and motivated Jankovic is more than capable of spoiling the party.
Group play begins on Tuesday.
The biggest difference this year is the withdrawal of Maria, retirement of Bartoli and fall from grace of Stosur. 
