LONDON, July 27: Countries will be able to field six players in the women’s tennis tournament at next year’s Beijing Olympics, an increase of two from the 2004 Athens Games.

The International Tennis Federation and the WTA Tour announced the change on Thursday after completing negotiations to again award ranking points for the competition.

The WTA rankings will be used to determine the top 56 direct acceptances in the 64-player singles draw for women. Nations can be eligible for up to four entries in singles and a separate doubles team if one of the pair is ranked in the top 10 in doubles rankings.—AP