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Istanbul the perfect stepping stone for Wozniacki

Is Caroline Wozniacki the heir to Serena Williams' crown? © Getty Images

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While the absence of reigning champion Kim Clijsters and 13-time grand slam winner Serena Williams may be a blow to organisers, the eight players arriving in Istanbul for the year-end WTA Championships makes for an intriguing line-up.

There are three reigning grand slam champions, a player who can perhaps lay claim to being the best player never to have won a grand slam, and a former world No. 1 in the ranks.

Men's tennis is enjoying a golden era thanks to the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and now Novak Djokovic, but women's tennis has struggled with an absence of star quality in recent years. However, Caroline Wozniacki has emerged as the player who could carry the sport forward.

Until she cracks that conundrum that continues to frustrate Andy Murray - proving she can win on the biggest stage - her ability will always come under question, but with her sunny disposition and a celebrity boyfriend in tow, Wozniacki is the perfect heir to Serena's crown.

While she is yet to find the winning formula at the majors, Wozniacki continues to lead the way on the WTA Tour and her status as world No. 1 makes her our tip to clinch the title in Turkey at 5/1 with bett365.

The year-end championship may lack the prestige of a grand slam, but it could be the perfect platform to vanquish her demons. Runner-up to Clijsters in Doha last year, Wozniacki has the game to beat anyone, and if she can triumph against the best players in the world, then why not at Wimbledon or the US Open?

Not just the world No. 1, Wozniacki is also the youngest player in Istanbul, although Petra Kvitova is only a few months older. While Wozniacki may enjoy the greater profile, Kvitova has the one thing the Dane craves more than any other - a grand slam title - and she is the bookies' favourite at 7/2.

Cash in with Carter

• Caroline Wozniacki to win the title - 5/1 at bet365
  Maria Sharapova to win the White Group - 2/1 at bet365
  

And with big titles for the likes of Victoria Azarenka and Agnieszka Radwanska, it looks like the new generation is starting to get its feet under the table.

But it is not just about the youngsters - 27-year-old Sam Stosur and Li Na, 29, both claimed their maiden grand slams this seasons.

But French Open winner Li, Wimbledon champion Kvitova and US Open winner Stosur have all struggled to maintain that momentum. Kvitova finally rediscovered the winning touch at Linz last week, but both Stosur and Li have failed to set the world alight following their grand slam triumphs.

Wozniacki may be the world's leading player, but world No. 2 Maria Sharapova is hot on her heels at No. 2. The three-time grand slam champion is still some way off her best, and her serve remains a serious frailty, but the Russian will be a serious contender to take home the trophy in Turkey - for which she can be backed at 5/1. Of more appeal is the Russian's price to emerge on top in the White Group consisting of Victoria Azarenka, Sam Stosur and Li Na.

Ranked outside the world's top 100 just over two years ago, Sharapova has shown real grit to battle back from a serious shoulder injury that plagued her for two seasons. She has played fewer tournaments than her rivals this season, but victories in Rome and Cinncinnati have seen her climb to her highest ranking since July 2008.

The only former champion in the field, Sharapova, who won the title back in 2004 as a 17-year-old, will be desperate to show the youngsters she is still a force to be reckoned with.

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