By Town Crier Staff Report

Venus Williams, coming off her second straight singles title at Wimbledon, is expected to return to the Bank of the West Classic next week to defend her championship.

Williams captured the singles title at last year’s Bank of the West, a Women’s Tennis Association tour event held annually at the Taube Family Tennis Stadium at Stanford University.

This year’s tournament begins Monday and concludes July 29. It will feature a 28-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw. Total prize money up for grabs is $565,000.

Also expected to play are Lindsay Davenport, who won the Bank of the West in 1999, Monica Seles and Kim Clijsters.

Tickets are available at Tickets.com (www.tickets.com) or by phone at 478-2277.