Maria Sharapova has become the second qualifier for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore

Maria Sharapova, a former World No.1 who won the fifth Grand Slam title of her career at the French Open this year, has become the second qualifier for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, to be held at the Singapore Sports Hub this October. 

 Sharapova, who has reached the semifinals or better at seven WTA tournaments this year - including the aforementioned triumph at Roland Garros, as well as a pair of Premier-level clay court titles at Stuttgart and Madrid - becomes the second player to qualify after longtime rival Serena Williams. "I am really excited to qualify for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global and to bring the best in women's tennis to Singapore this October," Sharapova said of the news. This will be Sharapova's seventh appearance at the WTA Finals. She won the WTA's crown jewel event on her debut in 2004, rallying from 4-0 down in the third set to beat Williams in a thrilling final, and she's been a runner-up two other times - in 2007 to Justine Henin and in 2012 to Williams. She missed the last four months of last year - including the WTA Finals - with a shoulder injury.