Defending champion Maria Sharapova will feature in a strong field of players at the 2006 Toray Pan Pacific Open, which also includes former world No. 1 Martina Hingis, organizers said Friday.
World No. 1 Lindsay Davenport, who like Hingis has won a record four titles at the top-tier WTA tournament, Elena Dementieva and Serena Williams will also play in the Jan. 31-Feb. 5 event at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
Three Japanese players -- Ai Sugiyama, Shinobu Asagoe and Akiko Morigami -- have been given their places in the main draw of the
$1.34 million tournament.
In 2005, Sharapova defeated Davenport 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5) for her first Toray title.
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