SAN JOSE - Former world number one Venus Williams will make her long-awaited comeback from injury at the Memphis International tennis championships on Tuesday, more than four months after her last competitive match.
The American has not played since October and has competed just twice since July oflast year because of a nagging left wrist injury.
Having slipped to 53rd in the world rankings -- her lowest mark for a decade -- seventh seed Williams will play Japan's Akiko Morigami, the world number 65.
Israel's Shahar Peer tops the seedings for the first time in a WTA Tour event.
The men's event is headed by world number four Andy Roddick, who was beaten in the semi-finals this week in San Jose by Andy Murray for the second year in succession.
The American begins his campaign against former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson of Sweden and could meet Briton Murray, the third seed, at the semi-final stage again.
Defending champion James Blake was forced to withdraw from the event, citing tendinitis in his wrist, leaving Germany's Tommy Haas as the number two seed.
Murray plays Canadian Frank Dancevic in the first round while Haas takes on veteran American Vince Spadea.
Croat Ivo Karlovic, who reached the final in San Jose, is also in the draw, beginning his title bid against American wildcard Sam Querrey.
