Bangalore, March 3: Jelena Jankovic has been seeded top at the $600,000 WTA Bangalore Open, which is set to begin on Monday

The 22-year-old Serbian is followed by the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, in India's richest tennis tournament.The spotlight will be on the top three seeds after Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza opted out of the tournament to avoid controversy. Mirza has been criticised in the past by ultra-nationalists for wearing short skirts and sleeveless tops on court, and before the Australian Open a row flared after she was shown with her bare feet resting near the Indian flag.

Defending champion Yaroslava Shvedova said she would have to play her best in a strong field to retain the title.

"I have to give my 100 percent as there are many strong players in the field. There is no easy match. On the whole, the draw is not a bad or good one," said the Russian.

Patty Schnyder of Switzerland, seeded fourth, said she was determined to do well.

"I have been training hard after my second-round loss at the Australian Open. I am aiming to be in the final and then see what happens," said Schnyder, ranked 12th in the world.

Seedings: 1. Jelena Jankovic (SEB) 2. Venus Williams (USA) 3. Serena Williams (USA) 4. Patty Schnyder (SUI) 5. Agnes Szavay (HUN) 6. Sybille Bammer (AUT) 7. Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 8. Maria Kirilenko (RUS).

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