Venus Williams will return to action next week at the Rogers Cup in Toronto. The seven-time Grand Slam champion, who has been troubled by back issues since April is scheduled to play Wimbledon semifinalist Kirsten Flipkens in the first round. She could meet her sister, top-ranked Serena, in the third round.
Russian and former Top 20 player Alisa Kleybanova will also return to tour play for the first time in 17 months. Kleybanova has been battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She began playing Futures and Challengers in May, and during the past three weeks played World TeamTennis for the Springfield Lasers. She will face Canadian Eugenie Bouchard in the first round.