Serena is top seed at Bank of the West Classic

It appears Serena Williams really is Stanford-bound this time. After pulling out of three previously scheduled appearances at the Bank of the West Classic, the eight-time Grand Slam champion and recent Wimbledon finalist was the top seed when the tournament draw was announced Friday.

"She's got her hotel reservations made and her credentials lined up," tournament director Adam Barrett said. "We have every indication that she is coming." Williams, who lost to her sister Venus in the Wimbledon final, is ranked fifth in the world and would be one of two top-10 players in the field. The other is reigning Bank of the West champion Anna Chakvetadze, the second seed and world No. 8. Vera Zvonareva is the third seed, and Daniela Hantuchova the fourth. All of the four seeds have first-round byes and will begin play Wednesday or Thursday.

Lindsay Davenport is unseeded and will face eighth seed Francesca Schiavone. Former Stanford star Amber Liu received a wild card and will open against fifth-seeded Patty Schnyder.