TIANJIN, China – World No. 6 Caroline Garcia and World No. 15 Elise Mertens will be part of the star-studded field at the fifth anniversary of the Tianjin Open.

They join the previously announced defending champion Maria Sharapova and former World No.1 Victoria Azarenka as the headline acts for the fifth edition of the US$750,000 WTA International Series event which takes place from 6-14 October at Tianjin Tuanbo International Tennis Centre.

The star quartet will also be joined by last year's finalist, Belarusian World No. 20 Aryna Sabalenka, who clinched her first WTA singles title in New Haven last weekend, two-time French Open semifinalist Timea Bacsinszky, and inaugural Tianjin Open Champion Alison Riske, who will be making her fifth consecutive appearance.

French No.1 and World No.6 Caroline Garcia has enjoyed considerable success in China becoming the first player to win the Wuhan Open and China Open back to back last year, and will be looking to add the Tianjin Open to her collection of Chinese titles. The 24-year-old has strung together a consistent season reaching the semi-finals of Stuttgart and Madrid, and the quarterfinals of Doha, Dubai, Rome, Mallorca, Montreal, and New Haven.

Belgium’s Elise Mertens is enjoying a breakout 2018 season, reaching the Australian Open semi-finals in January and claiming three WTA singles title to currently be sitting eighth on the WTA Porsche Race to Singapore rankings. A strong showing at the Tianjin Open could seal her qualification for the WTA Finals and become the second player to springboard from Tianjin to Singapore after Agnieszka Radwanska won the 2015 Tianjin Open.

Rising star Aryna Sabalenka, surprised many by reaching her first WTA tournament final at the Tianjin Open last year and pushing Maria Sharapova all the way. Sabalenka comes into Tianjin in red hot form, reaching the finals of Lugano and Eastbourne, and a stunning US summer defeating a number of Top 10 players, reaching the Cincinnati semi finals and claiming the Connecticut Open and her first WTA singles title. The 20-year-old now sits at a career high ranking of 20 and is in contention to make a late run for Singapore or the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai.

This year's Tianjin Open will utilize the groundbreaking FOXTENN Real Bounce officiating technology. FOXTENN's new In/Out calculation system captures images of the ball at the moment of impact using synchronized cameras and laser scanners located on the surface of the court.

Fans will be able to purchase tickets via the tournament's official ticketing partner Wesai online at www.wesai.com, wechat wallet or Wesai App, by calling 400-139-0000 or at the venue during the event.

The full list of players and information about Tianjin Open ticketing can be found via the Tianjin Open website – www.tianjinopen.com.