La Costa Returns to the Tour and Davenport Plays

Former two-time tournament champion Lindsay Davenport has accepted a wild card into La Costa doubles competition, where she will partner with fellow American Liezel Huber. The two won the title at Stanford yesterday.

Melanie Oudin, the rising American star, is the top American in the draw. After seeing her ranking jump from 177 in the world in 2008 to 49 in the world last year, the WTA Tour recognized Oudin as the 2009 Tour Newcomer of the Year. She also helped lead the United States Fed Cup team to the World Group Fed Cup Final in 2009 and 2010.

Earlier this year in February, Oudin reached the semifinals of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour indoor event in Paris and in April, she attained her career high singles ranking of 31 in the world. Oudin is currently ranked 44 in the world (as of July 26, 2010).

In addition to Oudin, the player field includes Jankovic, ranked No. 2 in the world, 2010 French Open finalist Samantha Stosur, 2010 Wimbledon finalist Vera Zvonareva and her fellow Russians Dinara Safina, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Petrova. Other players entered include Ana Ivanovic and Daniela Hantuchova.