Vinci, Hingis to play in WTA Guangzhou Open

Serbia's Jelena Jankovic celebrates after winning her first round match against Slovenia's Polona Hercog at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 19, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

GUANGZHOU -- The 2016 Guangzhou International Women's tennis tournament will be held on September 17-24 in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province. World No.8 Roberta Vinci of Italy will lead the line-up, local authorities announced on Monday.

Defending champion Jelena Jankovic will come to the tournament for the fourth time, and aims to be the first player to retain her title in the history of the Guangzhou open.

Sara Errani, who jointly with Vinci holds the women's tennis doubles Grand Slam title, will also attend the event for the second consecutive year. Also in the doubles, the 'Swiss princess' Martina Hingis is set to play again this year.

The Guangzhou Open, one of the oldest international professional women's tennis tournaments in China, was founded as a WTA International tournament in 2004. $225,000 in prize money, in addition to 280 points in the world rankings, are up for grabs at the tournament.

Ticket presales are also underway, for both packages and one-day tickets.