Former world number one Serena Williams [Images] will play in the WTA Bangalore Open this year, its organisers said on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old American, winner of eight Grand Slam titles, had pulled out of the event last year due to illness.

A statement from the organisers said Russian Vera Zvonareva will also play in the March 3-9 tier II event along with world number seven Serena, who lost to Jelena Jankovic of Serbia in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Tuesday.