Tennis: Azarenka, Serena to clash in Istanbul

World number one Victoria Azarenka was on Sunday handed a chance to avenge her US Open final defeat to Serena Williams when she was drawn alongside the American at the WTA Championships.

Azarenka and Williams will also face Li Na and Angelique Kerber in the round-robin Red Group at the eight-woman, season-ending event which starts on Tuesday.

That left Maria Sharapova, another front runner for the title, with a slightly less difficult looking quartet, even though the White Group includes the defending champion, Petra Kvitova, as well as Agnieszka Radwanska and Sara Errani.

Red Group: Victoria Azarenka (BLR), Serena Williams (USA), Angelique Kerber (GER), Li Na (CHN)

White Group: Maria Sharapova (RUS), Agnieszka Radwanska (POL), Petra Kvitova (CZE), Sara Errani (ITA)

Alternates: Samantha Stosur (AUS), Marion Bartoli (FRA)

Note: Top two in each group qualify for semi-finals