25 July,2011 08:41 AM IST | | AFP
Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova head the field for the WTA hardcourt tournament that starts today with Serena Williams lurking dangerously as her injury comeback continues.
Eight of the world's top 20 will take part in the WTA Tour's first premier level tournament since Wimbledon, which marks the start of the women's build-up on American hardcourts to the US Open.
Williams doesn't figure among the seeds, her ranking having plummeted due to a series of health issues ranging from a cut foot that required surgery to life-threatening blood clots. The 13-time Grand Slam champion received a wild card into the event, part of her build-up to the US Open starting on August 29.
