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Former world number one Serena Williams is all set to participate in Canadian Open WTA event in Toronto, organisers confirmed on Thursday. The American leads a star-studded entry list for the National Bank Open, which is scheduled to kick off on August 8. Notably, Williams has clinched the National Bank Open in 2001, 2011 and 2013.

Her last participation in the WTA 1000 contest came in 2019, where she qualified for the summit-clash following spectacular win against Elise Mertens, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Naomi Osaka and Marie Bouzkova. However, Serena's campaign ended on a low note as the local girl Bianca Andreescu lifted the title after the 23-time major winner was forced to retire due to back spasms in the opening set.

The pair faced each other once again in the US Open title clash, where the Canadian beat Williams in straight sets. Speaking of Serena's participation at the National Bank Open, the WTA 1000 tournament notified about her inclusion in the list via a social media post. Apart from Serena, Iga Swiatek, Ons Jabeur, Anett Kontaveit, Maria Sakkari, Paula Badosa, Emma Raducanu and reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina are included in the list.

Leylah Fernandez, who has been recovering from a foot fracture she suffered during the French Open is also among the participants.

Responding to the list, Karl Hale, the Director of the National Bank Open claimed that the entry list of the upcoming event is one of the strongest ever.

"When you ever read over that star-studded list, it's hard not to get excited. Not only this is one of the strongest, but this is first time in three years that the National Bank Open returns to a full capacity," he said. He further admitted that tennis fans will be extremely happy to see top-notch tennis players from all-around the world crossing swords against each other.

"We are even happier for our fans who will get to watch tennis' very best at the 2022 edition of the National Bank Open," he concluded.