Friday, July 21 2006 14:19 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

White Plains (New York): Serena Williams is among seven former women's singles champions among the entries for the US Open announced here on Thursday, but will likely appear courtesy of a wild card invitation.

The younger Williams sister won the tournament in 1999 and 2002, and has entered the 2006 championship. But the US Tennis Association said Thursday she had not received direct acceptance into the main draw based on her current world ranking of 139.

"If necessary, the USTA will issue a wild card to Williams," a USTA statement said.

Aravane Rezai of France, ranked No. 102, was the 104th and last player accepted directly into the womens field of 128, with Elena Bovina and Alina Jidkova of Russia entering via protected rankings.

Another 16 players will gain entry through qualifying, while the remaining eight spots are wild cards awarded by the USTA.

Williams, who has been battling a knee injury, was playing this week at the WTA Tour event in Cincinnati, her first tournament in six months.

The USTA said the entry by seven former women's champions was unprecendented. Also among the former titlists planning to challenge for the final Grand Slam title of the year at Flushing Meadows August 28-September 10 are Venus Williams, Switzerland's Martina Hingis, reigning champion Kim Clijsters and Belgian compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne, US veteran Lindsay Davenport and Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova.

The entry list includes all top 100 ranked players, led by world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo of France, the reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon champion. Mauresmo will try to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2003 to win three Grand Slam titles in one year.