Simona Halep, Maria Sharapova to meet at WTA Championships

Simona Halep has been drawn alongside Maria Sharapova in the group stages of the WTA Championships.

In the absence of world number one Serena Williams, Halep is the top seed for the event in Singapore, but she faces a tough test to finish in first place in the Red Group after being paired with former winner Sharapova, who has missed much of the last three months through injury.

Agnieszka Radwanska and US Open champion Flavia Pennetta, who beat Halep at Flushing Meadows, complete the group.

Wimbledon finalist Garbine Muguruza heads the White Group, with the Spaniard being drawn to play Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber and Lucie Safarova.