World number one Lindsay Davenport and second-ranked Amelie Mauresmo will be fighting for the year-end women's top spot at the W1A Championships.

Since neither has won a grand slam this year, however, any of the three grand slam champions, all Russians, in the field could steal the mantle of "people's number one" by winning the prestigious title.

"I would feel like the most successful playerofthe year if I winheru," said U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, one of five Russians in the eight-woman, round-robin tournament

"Rankings don't always show quality, they show consistency."

Play opens on Wednesday with Mauresmo facing Russia's Vera Zvonareva, followed by French Open champion Anastasia Myskina against 2001WTA champion Serena Williams, while Davenport plays twice grand slam finalist Elena Dementieva.

On Thursday, Kuznetsova faces France’s Mauresmo, Zvonareva plays Wimbledon champion Marla Sharapova and Williams takes on Dementieva.

The Black Group consists of Mauresmo, Kuznetsova, Sharapova and Zvonareva, while the Red Group features Davenport, Myskina, Williams and Dementieva. The top in each group advance to the semifinals.

Australian Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium, world number one at the end of last year, is missing after a season plagued by illness.

"Each match you have the play your best because you are playing the best players possible," Kuznetsova said.

Had Nadia Petrova not upset her in the quarterfinals at Philadelphia last week, the third-ranked Myskina would also have had a shot at the top spot this week.

Myskina knows, however, she is close enough to make a serious run at it early next year and a title here would put her on her way.

"You try to find energy for the biggest tournaments," Myskina said. "It’s still possible to be number one in the future, so I’m thinking of doing really well here.

"I was the first Russian to win a win a grand slam and I want to be the first Russian to be ranked number one."

Sharapova comes into the tournament nursing a shoulder injury, but the 17-year-old has played stand-out tennis since the U.S. Open, winning two titles and reaching the final in Zurich.

After coming back from knee surgery in March, former number one Williams only won two tournaments. But the six-times grand slam champion has not lost her bravado.

"I’m like Tiger Woods," she said. "It’s bigger news for me to lose. I make people's careers. I wouldn't come into a tournament expecting anything less than winning."

Ironically, the last time that three-times grand slam champion Davenport finished the season at number one was 2001, another year when she had not won a grand slam.

"Personally, I would have liked to have a grand slam title and compete for number one," Davenport said.

"It’s a little different feeling. It’s not going to replace winning Wimbledon or the U.S. Open, but it would be nice to come through. It’s like the fifth grand slam."