The entry list for the 2016 Nurnburger Versicherungscup, a WTA tournament to be held the week before the French Open, has been announced.

The tournament, which will be held for the fourth time this year, sees 280 ranking points go to the winner and could be key in the preparation for some stars ahead of the second major of the year.

Knapp And Vinci Return

Karin Knapp and Roberta Vinci, who contested the final last year, are both set to return to Nuremburg.

Knapp, who defeated fellow Italian Vinci 7-6, 4-6 6-1, in the final last year, has had a poor season so far and will be looking for some confidence as she aims to get her ranking near to the top 30 once again.

Things have improved massively for Vinci since the tournament last year, and she will probably be one of the favorites for the title as she looks to play well on what has been a strong surface for her in the past.

Vinci this season (Getty/Mike Ehrmann)
Vinci this season (Getty/Mike Ehrmann)

Home Stars In Action

The tournament directors will certainly be boosted by the fact that several German players are set to be in action.

World number two Angelique Kerber will be in action. The entrance of Kerber came as a surprise, despite previously having played in the tournament, and it will be interesting to see if she does decide to play after what could be a long few weeks for her.

Six other German players are also scheduled to be in action. Perhaps the most notable is Sabine Lisicki, who will be looking to pick up some form after a disappointing year so far, though Lisicki is not strong on clay and it seems that someone like Julia Goerges or Annika Beck could be more of a threat for the title.

Rising star Anna-Lena Friedsam will also be in action, whilst potentially dangerous Mona Barthel and late bloomer Laura Siegemund complete the home players in the field.

Kerber in Charleston (Getty/Matthew Stockman)
Kerber in Charleston (Getty/Matthew Stockman)

Americans In Action

Behind Germany, the United States has the second most representatives in Nuremburg in terms of nationality.

Rising star Madison Keys is set to be the 2nd seed at the tournament, and will be looking to pick up some form going into the second major of the year, considering the fact that clay will probably never be her strongest surface.

Christina McHale and Vavara Lepchenko could well be dangerous opponents, whilst Nicole Gibbs will see the tournament as an opportunity to continue her progression up the rankings.

Keys in Miami (Getty/Mike Ehrmann)
Keys in Miami (Getty/Mike Ehrmann)

Dangerous Clay Court Players In Action

Some strong clay court players will be in action in Nuremburg.

Brazilian Teliana Pereira won both her two career title on clay and will probably be seeded in Nuremburg, undoubtedly making her a threat for the title, whilst fellow South American, Mariana Duque-Marino, could also be a danger.

Lara Arruabarrena pushed Kerber in Charleston and will be looking to build on an encouraging performance over the clay court season.

Arruabarrena this year (Getty/Zhong Zhi)
Arruabarrena this year (Getty/Zhong Zhi)

Other Stars In Action

Japanese tennis has been improving of late and their top two female stars in be in action in Nuremburg, with Misaki Doi and Nao Hibino each looking for their second WTA title.

Lesia Tsurenko and Johanna Larsson have generally had disappointing seasons so far and will see the tournament as a big opportunity to gain some ranking points and confidence.

Meanwhile, Yulia Putintseva has had a good year so far and will be looking to continue her progression up the rankings.

Putintseva is at a career high (Getty/Matthew Stockman)
Putintseva is at a career high (Getty/Matthew Stockman)
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About the author
Oliver Dickson Jefford
20. English Literature student at the University of Southampton. Aspiring sports journalist from Hertfordshire.