Ivanovic's the main attraction

She gingerly lowered her racket, leaned against the fence and took a sip of water. 

Caged in at Raffles Institution's (RI) courts yesterday for an adidas clinic, Simona Halep was surrounded by tennis hopefuls and a media horde of cameramen, photographers and journalists. 

But for what seemed like an eternity, she stood alone.  

This was the world No. 3, a woman who has been described by fellow 
professionals as "dangerous" and by observers as "unclassifiable", but yesterday, almost all eyes were pinned on Ana Ivanovic, while others were fussing over Caroline Wozniacki. 

The trio took time off from their preparations for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals presented by SC Global in Singapore 
(Monday to Oct 25) to meet young players and, despite being the highest-ranked player (Ivanovic is eighth, while Wozniacki is ninth), it was evident that Halep was not the main attraction. 

Where the statuesque Ivanovic glided through the gate, beaming at her subjects, Halep swaggered and smiled. 

As the Serb whipped out her phone posing for selfies with Wozniacki, chatting and giggling, Halep rolled up her track pants and got ready to spar with the 50 or so students lined up across the other side of the court. 

Wozniacki was not feeling too well and left as her colleagues prepared to take to the courts, but Ivanovic obliged photographers' requests for pictures first, posing with polish before sashaying onto court. 

Halep was at the adjacent court, already waiting at the baseline. 

"I have no expectations (for this 
tournament). I have no experience," said 23-year-old Halep, on what will be her first appearance in the prestigious season-ending tournament. 

"All the eight best players in the world are here, and I will try my best in every match." 

The WTA Finals in Singapore will feature the top eight women's singles players in the world, and the top eight doubles pairs and they will vie for a share of the US$6.5 million ($8.3m) prize money.

China's Li Na, ranked fifth, recently retired.

BREEZY STYLE

Speaking of her youth and her return to form this year, Ivanovic's breezy style was a hit with the youngsters, and she even turned the tables, asking them for tips on where to go and what to eat in the Lion City. 

"I have to try durians," she decided, laughing, as photographers clicked away. 

Ivanovic has matched her on-court game with a stunning princess-like polish, even when she steps out of the arena.

But it would be foolish to discount 
Halep, the Romanian from the quiet Black Sea port city of Constanta. 

She is perhaps still coming to terms with the off-the-court game, where her 1.68m frame may be overshadowed by the model-esque (1.85m) Ivanovic, but her speed, power and unpredictable game can flummox even the best. 

So is her single-minded drive to succeed. 

Halep admitted to still feeling nerves before matches, and the difficulty she has to stay in top physical form through the season, but her eyes lit up when speaking of the joy she gets being out on court. 

At the tender age of 17, she decided to go for breast reduction surgery - no easy decision for a teenager - in a clear an indication of an immense will to succeed.

She said: "I love to play and I always have pleasure playing and I enjoy every practice and every match."

A dynamo on the court, Halep is perhaps still getting used to the glitz and glamour off it. 

It came as little surprise then, when she revealed that her favourite movie was one that speaks of a girl learning to play in the posh crowd - Pretty Woman.

"All the eight best players in the world are here, and I will try my best in every match."

— World No. 3 Simona Halep

"I have to try durians."

— World No. 8 Ana Ivanovic, on what she wants to eat in Singapore