Serena is out and Simona is on top in Dubai.
World No. 1 Serena Williams, Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki all withdrew from next week's Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
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The departure of the world's top two puts Halep in the top spot with Garbine Muguruza seeded second in the draw that was conducted today. The Wimbledon finalist has a first-round bye. She could face Elina Svitolina, who was working under the watchful eye of new coaching consultant Justine Henin, in round two.
Among the intriguing first-rounders to watch:
Former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic, a part-time Dubai resident, vs. St. Petersburg finalist Belinda Bencic, who makes her Top 10 debut on Monday.
Former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic faces dangerous Daria Gavrilova. The 30th-ranked Gavrilova showed her grit grinding out a 5-7, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (7) victory over Ivanovic in their lone meeting on the red clay of Rome last May.
World No. 23 Andrea Petkovic seeks her second straight win against Camila Giorgi. The 40th-ranked Italian has banged her forehand with authority winning three of four meetings with Petkovic, including a 6-1, 6-2 rout in the 2014 Dubai second round.
Watch JJ work the wide slice in an evening practice with good buddy Petkovic.
Serena cited an illness in withdrawing.
Photo credit: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships