HONG KONG, Oct 24: Russia’s Maria Sharapova will battle it out against American Venus Williams in January’s Hong Kong invitational tennis tournament, a report here said on Wednesday.

Sharapova, ranked number five in the world, and Venus, ranked eight, will be joined by six other players in the annual Champions Challenge due to take place here in the first week of January, the South China Morning Post said.

“Sharapova will be back again this year, while Venus, who did not play last year, will also make a return,” the daily quoted an unnamed source close to the organising committee as saying.

“Unfortunately we have not been able to secure Serena Williams as she has other commitments.

“The presence of Sharapova and Venus, and two others from the world’s top 10, will once again ensure this tournament will be of the highest calibre.”

Last year’s final was won by now-retired Belgian Kim Clijsters, who beat Sharapova in the final.—AFP