Russia's Vera Zvonareva will be trying to win her third PTT Thailand Open in Pattaya next month.
The former world No.2 will join former Pattaya champions Daniela Hantuchova and Shahar Peer in the US$250,000 event to be held at the Dusit Thani from Feb 8-15.
Zvonareva, who won the tournament in 2009 and 2010 when it was known as the Pattaya Open, is on the comeback trail after a long-term injury lay-off.
The 30-year-old had impressive results in her first two tournaments this year.
She beat local favourite Peng Shuai in Shenzen, China on her way to the quarter-finals and lost to Serena Williams in the second round of the Australian Open.
Williams was forced to overcome a sluggish start to beat Zvonareva 7-5, 6-0 in Melbourne on her way to the final.
"She started out really well, she was really aggressive and I was a little too passive," said Williams.
Zvonareva has slipped to No.203 in the world after years battling shoulder injury but used to be No.2 and has two career victories over the American.
Other participants in Pattaya include some of Asia's top stars such as Peng, Zarina Dyas, Kumuri Nara and Shuai Zhang, and rising players such as Elini Svitolina, Monica Puig and Alja Tomljanovic.
The Thai contingent will be led by Luksika Kumkhum and Tamarine Tanasugarn.
Tickets starting from 300 baht are available at Thai Ticket Major, call 02-262-3456 or visit www.thaiticketmajor.com