The hardcourt season has started; clay is still here

This week, the first tounament of the US Open season will take place in Stanford, California. The Bank of West Classic tournament will feature Serena Williams, Anna Chakvetadze, Vera Zvonareva, Daniela Hantuchova, Patty Schnyder, Marion Bartoli, Nadia Petrova, Francesca Schiavone, who are the top 8 seeds.

Anna Chakvetadze is the defending champion and will have to battle her way through some big players to win the title.

Also the Gastein Ladies tournament will be held in Bad Gastein, Austria. The Austrian tournament will feature Agnes Szavay, Alize Cornet, Caroline Wozniacki, Pauline Parmentier, Timea Bacsinszky, Sara Errani, Iveta Bnesova, Vera Dushevina, who are the top 8 seeds in Austria.

Francesca Schiavone is the defending champion but is instead playing in Stanford, and all players will hve to face someone tough to win the title. Gastein Ladies is the last tournament to be held on clay before the US Open Series starts.

Good luck to all players and defending champions of this week.