World No. 13 Martina Hingis [Images] will be the top draw in the second edition of the US $175,000 WTA Sunfeast Open tennis tournament, to be held in Kolkata later this year.
Mahesh Bhupathi [Images], Managing Director of event owners Globosport and with whom Hingis won the Australian Open mixed doubles, said the five-time Grand Slam champion "epitomizes the perfect modern day tennis player, capable of playing on all surfaces and on all conditions".
"The Swiss player shows admirable resilience in fighting back a career-threatening injury and storming into the top 20 within six months," he said.
India's own tennis star Sania Mirza [Images] had already confirmed participation in the September 18-24 event.
"She will be seen in the singles, but whether she will also play the doubles, depends on her performance at the US Open that precedes our tournament", Bhupathi said.
Bhupathi said the full entry list would be known six weeks before start of the tournament.
"Like last year, we hope to have a strong field this year too."
Hingis, who created a sensation when she became the youngest Wimbledon [Images] champion at the age of 15 years and nine months, has made a strong comeback after recuperating from a foot injury.
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