Past 2 winners to play in Charleston

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The past two Family Circle Cup champions in Angelique Kerber and Andrea Petkovic have committed to play in the rebranded Volvo Cars Open in 2016.

Kerber and Petkovic join Venus Williams and Madison Keys in the clay-court field next April.

Kerber outlasted Keys in last year’s finals, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5. Petkovic took the title the year before at the Family Circle Tennis Center.

Kerber is ranked ninth in the world and has won seven WTA titles, including four this season.

Petkovic is ranked 20th in the world and has an 11-2 mark in her three years playing in Charleston.

Eleanor Adams, Volvo Cars Open Tournament manager, said the event was excited to have the former champions return next spring.