Lucie Safarova will make her comeback from health problems by defending her title in Doha next week, the world number 10 said on Friday.

The 29-year-old Czech has not played since the WTA Masters last October due to joint inflammation.

Last year's French Open finalist was forced to miss the Australian Open in January, the first Grand Slam she had sat out since Wimbledon in 2006.

She was also hospitalised for a week in September due to a bacterial infection.

"Everything's going well, I don't have any more pain. I can't wait (to play in Doha) because it's been a really long time without tennis," Safarova told Czech media.

Safarova is likely to drop out of the top 10 when the new rankings are published on Monday.
Source :AFP