Serena Williams set for Rome return, Naomi Osaka and Simona Halep also on entry list

Serena Williams is set to make her long-awaited return to the Italian Open this year as she has been included on the 2019 entry list along with several other big-name players.

The American is a four-time champion in Rome and she won her last title in 2016, but was then unable to defend her crown the following year as she was on maternity leave.

She was initially pencilled in to return in 2018, but withdrew two weeks before the start as she was still feeling her way back to competitive tennis following the birth of her daughter.

However, the 23-time Grand Slam winner is set to feature in the event this year along with world No 1 Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina.

World No 7 Svitolina is the two-time defending champion at Foro Italico as the Ukrainian beat Halep in the 2017 and 2018 finals.

The WTA Premier 5 event will take place from May 13-19 this year.

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