Ana Ivanovic

Ana Ivanovic

Seed: 4
2008 record: 38-13, three titles
2008 Grand Slams: F, W, 3R, 2R
Career Grand Slam titles: one
Previous appearance at year-end championships: 2007

Unlike when Jankovic earned the No. 1 ranking, few had qualms when Ivanovic rose to No. 1 in June. The tour's golden girl had just won her first major at the French Open and had already made it to Australian Open final, in which she gave Sharapova her toughest test.

The descent began after Paris, when, by her own admission, she was mentally drained. An early loss at Wimbledon paled in comparison to an even earlier defeat to French journeywoman Julie Coin at the U.S. Open -- as a thumb injury contributed to the latter.

Ivanovic emerged from her slumber at the right time to win her first tournament since the French in Linz, Austria, on Oct. 26.

Adams' verdict: "Having won in Linz gives her a little bit of confidence going in. For Ana, I think anything is possible. When she's serving well and cracking that forehand, depending on how fast the surface is going to be in Doha, she has a chance."