Stellar Sydney field announced
Organisers have announced that nine of the world's top 10 women stars will play in next month's Apia International in Sydney.
The players are currently enjoying a well-earned break from the pressure of tournament tennis but will return as soon as the festive period is over to prepare for the upcoming Australian Open.
The year's first Grand Slam gets under way on January 16 and stars of the men's and women's game will begin their preparations Down Under in the week leading up to the event.
The world's top two, Caroline Wozniacki and Petra Kvitova, had already declared their intention to make an appearance at the tournament and, with Victoria Azarenka's name added to the field, the world's top three-ranked stars will contest the event from January 8-14.
Maria Sharapova has opted to fine-tune her game in Brisbane and is the only member of the current top 10 who will be missing in Sydney, while defending champion Kim Clijsters has opted to join the Russian.
Clijsters is on the comeback trail after the second half of her season in 2011 was decimated by injury but, at her best, she could well be the player to watch in the prestigious event.
Tournament director Craig Watson was delighted with the line-up and feels that the event is the best way to prepare for Melbourne Park.
He said: "The women's event has again attracted the world's best and with last year's women's finalists (Clijsters and Li Na) going on to play in the Australian Open final, the Apia International Sydney is the perfect preparation for the season's first Grand Slam" - http://www.setanta.com
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