The entry list for the Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem, the only WTA tournament in Africa, has announced the entry list for the competition this year.
Previously held in Marrakech, but to be held in Rabat this year, the tournament doesn't have defending champion Elina Svitolina returning, though there is still a relatively strong field for the tournament, which will be held from the 25th of April to the 1st of May.
Bacsinszky And Konta Among Headliners
Swiss number two Timea Bacsinszky and British number one Johanna Konta are the two highest ranked players in the draw.
Bacsinszky, who has started to pick up form again after a slight injury problem, will be looking to improve on last year's quarterfinal showing whilst Konta will be making her debut appearance and will be looking for a strong run as she looks to continue to rise up the rankings.
Some other big names will also be in action. Ekaterina Makarova has had a good season so far and will be looking to return to the top 10 quickly, whilst early signs suggest that Irina-Camelia Begu may have a good season on clay.
Many Players Returning
Alongside Bacsinszky, some other players are returning to Morocco to try and defend their points.
Perhaps the most significant of these players is Timea Babos. The Hungarian reached the final last year and, after a strong season so far, will be a strong contender for the title.
One player looking for some form in Rabat will be Anna Karolina Schmiedlova. The Slovakian reached the semifinals in Marrakech last season and will desperately be looking for some for after recording only two wins so far this year.
Teliana Pereira is automatically in the draw after having to get through via qualifying last year, whilst Karin Knapp will be looking to build on her quarterfinal showing last year.
Other Players In Action
Many other players will be in action in Rabat.
Laura Robson joins fellow Brit Konta in the draw. Robson has used her protected ranking to enter the tournament and will be looking to gain some points to start going up the rankings.
Strong competition could come from the likes of Kirsten Flipkens, Misaki Doi and Yulia Putintseva. All three have had relatively good seasons so far and could go on a run here. Meanwhile, the likes of Lesia Tsurenko and Annika Beck, who can be dangerous, will be looking to pick up some form.
Alongside Doi, Japan has another player in action in the form of Nao Hibino, whilst Johanna Larsson completes the field.