A BRAND new tournament starts up this week in Lexington, Kentucky, with the Top Seed Open set to host a wealth of top ranked players from the North America region in the lead up to the US Open, with hard court experience essential on the return of the tour.

Ninth ranked Serena Williams headlines the Top Seed Open, with the Grand Slam champion eager to return to the court regardless of the type of event, with the champion not typically attending International events. She is joined by sister Venus (67th), as well as a host of quality American talent in Amanda Anisimova (28th), Sloane Stephens (37th), Coco Gauff (52nd) and Belarusians Aryna Sabalenka (11th) and Victoria Azarenka (58th).

Johanna Konta, Garbine Muguruza, Yulia Putintseva and Magda Linette round out the top eight seeds at the Lexington event in what is anticipated to be a good warm-up for the US Open.

The top eighth of the draw looks like a Throwback, with both Williams sisters and Azarenka there, with Venus up against the Belarusian in the first round and Serena almost certainly waiting in the second round. The first Australian to play since the restart, Ajla Tomljanovic takes on Putintseva in the opening round, while watch for Swiss up and comer Jil Teichmann, who forgoed defending a couple of tournaments in Europe to play in Lexington.

At the opposite end of the draw, a likely second round clash between Sabalenka and Gauff could take place symbolising the next Williams and Azarenka who could be going head-to-head at the same time. Even the qualifying draw has its fair share of talent with young gun Leylah Fernandez returning to the court, with American Ann Li, as well as another Australian in Arina Rodionova.

Gauff’s youth injects an exciting element with the youngster able to ply her trade against any number of top ranked players when she is on song, with some wins here critical if she is to head up the rankings and gain some precious experience heading into the US Open. Serena Williams is much the same, with the 23-time Grand Slam champion hoping to draw level with Margaret Court with another US Open victory on the board.

No spectators will attend the event, with strict protocols in place and rigorous testing to ensure further tournaments down the track will not be impacted. While a draw is yet to be announced, the calibre of talent ensures some enticing contests along the way to the inaugural Top Seed Open final and inevitable champion.