 Clijsters is aiming to retain her Indian Wells title |
Kim Clijsters returns to action for the first time since winning back-to-back events last month, aiming to defend her crown at Indian Wells in California. Clijsters is bidding to become the first player since Martina Navratilova in 1991 to retain the title.
The 20-year-old second seed, who has received a bye in the first round, could take on American Lindsay Davenport in the semi-finals.
Top seed Justine Henin-Hardenne returns after missing the event last year.
However the world number one, who also has a bye in the first round, is in the side of draw which includes fifth seed Chanda Rubin and 12th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Henin-Hardenne and Kuznetsova have met in a semi-final and final in the past two weeks.
Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova, who won here in 2002, will take on ninth seed Jelena Dokic in the third round if they win their opening matches.
The first round begins on Wednesday with Akiko Morigami facing Mariana Diaz-Oliva, Emmanuelle Gagliardi playing Amy Frazier and Tamarine Tanasugarn taking on Laura Granville.
MMIX
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