2013 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championship

MANILA, Philippines - The 2013 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championship is set to kick off on Oct. 26 at the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey.

Expected to headline the event is Serena Williams (photo), who is the tournament’s defending champion. Williams will be gambling her chances against opponents such as Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova and Li Na.

To win another title, Williams will also have to hold off numerous dark horses in the competition such as Sara Errani, Angelique Kerber and Petra Kvitova who have the potential to come out on top.

This year’s competition will be the 43rd edition of the tournament and a purse of $6.5M will be on the line this time around.

Solar Sports will be airing the 2013 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championship on the following dates: The quarterfinals on Oct. 26 via satellite at 5 a.m.; semifinals, Oct. 26, 8 p.m.; and Oct. 27, 5 a.m.; and finals, Oct. 28, 1 a.m.