Big stars to shine at China Open

BEIJING - Tennis die-hards in Beijing can expect a Grand Slam caliber event during the National Day holidays as the 2011 China Open released its glittering main draw lists last week.

The biggest combined tournament in Asia, the annual event will attract all the available top 48 female players and most of the top 35 males to fight for a total of $6.1 million in prize money at the Beijing Olympic Tennis Center from Oct 1-9.

China's French Open titlist, Li Na, the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, Danish defending champion Caroline Wozniacki and Russian sensation Maria Sharapova will spearhead a star-studded cast at this year's final mandatory tournament, the highest level WTA event outside of the Grand Slams.