19/11/2009 12:30 PM
French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova will join a star-studded women's field at the 2010 Medibank International Sydney.
The world No.3 becomes the fifth top-10 female player at the tournament, including No.1 Serena Williams, defending champion Elena Dementieva, Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka.
Australia's highest-ranked woman, Samantha Stosur, is also in the field.
Kuznetsova, who won at Roland Garros in June and also captured titles at Stuttgart and Beijing this year, confirmed her attendance at the Australian Open warm-up on Thursday.
"I really enjoy visiting Sydney. It is a beautiful city and a great place to begin the new season," the 24-year-old said.
"I have had some really great results there in the past and I am looking forward to having a great tournament in Sydney before the Australian Open."
Kuznetsova was runner-up at Sydney Olympic Park in 2008, going down in a tough three-set final to then world No.1 Justine Henin.
Tournament director Craig Watson said the Russian was always a welcome visitor to Sydney.
"Svetlana is great athlete and a fantastic addition to our women's field," Watson said.
Kuznetsova has won 12 career singles titles on the WTA Tour, including her breakthrough title at the US Open in 2004.
She also reached the final at Roland Garros in 2006 and at the US Open in 2007 and has been part of three Fed Cup-winning teams for Russia (2004, 2007 and 2008).
Australian No.1 Lleyton Hewitt headlines the men's field along with world No.13 Gael Monfils and Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.
The Medibank International Sydney will be held from January 10-16.