The Bangalore Open has received another boost with Serbian world number four Jelena Jankovic [ Images ] confirming her participation in the tennis tournament to be held in Bangalore from March 3-9.

Other top guns that this $ 600,000 Tier II WTA event has already attracted include Williams sisters -- Serena and Venus, Switzerland's [ Images ] Patty Schnyder [ Images ] and Agnes Szavay [ Images ] of Hungary.

An entertainer with a never-say-die spirit, 22-year-old Jankovic reached semi-finals of the US Open [ Images ] in 2006 and the same stage at both the 2007 French and 2008 Australian Opens.

"She (Jankovic) is considered one of the toughest players in the game and as the top-ranked player here, she will start as one of the favourites but with such strong opposition it will be a test of her character and skill to capture the title," Tournament Director and Secretary of Karnataka [ Images ] State Lawn Tennis Association, Sunder Raju, told reporters.

Jankovic said she was looking forward to playing a tough tournament in Bangalore.

"It is great to be part of India's [ Images ] first Tier II tennis extravaganza at Bangalore. I look forward to play some tough tennis in front of a passionate lovers of the sport," she said in a statement issued.

Known for her defensive abilities and footwork, she won the first Grand Slam title of her career in mixed doubles at Wimbledon [ Images ] 2007.

The winner of the Bangalore Open, to be staged at the KSLTA Kingfisher Stadium, would take home $ 95,500 and 300 WTA points.