Defending champion Rafael Nadal will lead a number of world-class tennis players to compete at the US$1.1 million China Open ATP and WTA tournament in September.

Nadal, who just beat Roger Federer for his 42nd straight clay-court title in the Monte Carlo Masters, spearheads a strong men's squad. It includes reigning Masters Cup winner David Nalbandian, and last year's China Open finalist Guillermo Coria, both from Argentina, along with Russian star Nikolay Davydenko.

In the women's event, world number four Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium has joined American ace Lindsay Davenport in the star-packed list, which also consists of former U.S. Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia.

Domestic stars, such as veteran player Li Na, Athens Olympic champion Li Ting and Sun Tiantian, newly crowned Australian Open winner Zheng Jie and Yan Zi are also expected to fight for the hosts' glory.

The 2006 China Open tournament will be held from September 9 to 24 at the Beijing Tennis Center.

(CRI English April 29, 2006)