Davenport, Kuznetsova Lead Favorites at WTA Bali

Former No. 1 Lindsay Davenport, appearing in perhaps one of her last events before retirement, and former US Open champ Svetlana Kuznetsova are the primary recipients of appearance money the week after the US Open at the Wismilak International in Bali, Indonesia.

Last week at the US Open, Davenport was evasive as to whether she would play a few events in Asia and Europe to wrap up 2006 before calling it a career, or whether she would make an appearance in Australia in January 2007 to play one final year.

Other stars attracted to Bali this week are No. 2 seed Patty Schnyder, fast-rising Serb Ana Ivanovic, and willowy Daniela Hantuchova. From there the seedings fall off the table with No. 6 Marion Bartoli, No. 7 Maria Elena Camerin, and No. 8 Severine Bremond.

Late pull-outs were Anna-Lena Groenefeld (shoulder), Elena Likhovtseva (ankle), Jelena Jankovic (back), and Vera Zvonareva ("schedule change").

Kuznetsova and Schnyder receive first-round byes, while Davenport opens against Russian Galina Voskoboeva, ranked outside the Top 50 on the WTA Tour Rankings.

While Bali officials spread the appearance wealth to attract a solid field of marquee players, the depth at the Wismilak International won't faze the contenders, with Japan's No. 234-ranked Junri Namigata receiving direct entry into the main draw.

Davenport is the defending champion at Bali, last year defeating Francesca Schiavone in the final 6-2, 6-4.