Serena Williams is due to play in the Medibank International Sydney tournament as a warm-up to help here defend her title at the Australian Open (Williams 11/4 to win the tournament on Betfred tennis coupon).

The world number one was recently given a fine and suspended three-year ban from the US Open for verbally abusing an official and has been cleared by the Grand Slam Committee to play in both tournaments.

She will line-up at the Medibank International Sydney alongside the likes of Svetlana Kuznetsova, Caroline Wozniacki and Elena Dementieva in a highly-competitive field. (Kuznetsova, 16/1, Wozniacki 10/1, Dementieva 12/1 to win the Australian Open on coupon)

“I really enjoyed my time in Sydney this year and I am really looking forward to being back there in just a few weeks time. It’s pretty amazing how quickly the year comes around,” said Williams.

“Once again it is going to be a great field and I am really happy to part of that. I look forward to seeing so many of my Australian fans in Sydney.”

The Medibank International Sydney is seen by many players as the best preparations for the Australian Open and the men’s field already has tennis stars such as Gael Monfils, Lleyton Hewitt and Marcos Baghdatis confirmed. (Monfils and Hewitt 100/1 to win the men’s Australian Open on coupon)

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