The US hardcourt swing kicks off in Stanford with the first WTA Premier tournament the grass season as the Bank of the West Classic traditionally gets the American hardcourt season underway.
Formally held in Oakland, the tournament found a new home on the campus of the world-famous Stanford University in 1997 as the cozy Taube Tennis Center now hosts one of the tour’s most-traditional events.
STANFORD, UNITED STATES - AUGUST 1 : Andrea Petkovic in action at the 2015 Bank of the West Classic WTA Premier tennis tournament 
STANFORD, UNITED STATES - AUGUST 1 : Andrea Petkovic in action at the 2015 Bank of the West Classic WTA Premier tennis tournament 
STANFORD, UNITED STATES - AUGUST 1 : Andrea Petkovic in action at the 2015 Bank of the West Classic WTA Premier tennis tournament 
STANFORD, UNITED STATES - AUGUST 1 : Andrea Petkovic in action at the 2015 Bank of the West Classic WTA Premier tennis tournament 
STANFORD, UNITED STATES - AUGUST 1 : Petra Martic in action at the 2015 Bank of the West Classic WTA Premier tennis tournament 
STANFORD, UNITED STATES - AUGUST 1 : Jessica Pegula in action at the 2015 Bank of the West Classic WTA Premier tennis tournament 
STANFORD, UNITED STATES - AUGUST 1 : Petra Martic in action at the 2015 Bank of the West Classic WTA Premier tennis tournament 
STANFORD, UNITED STATES - AUGUST 1 : Jessica Pegula in action at the 2015 Bank of the West Classic WTA Premier tennis tournament 
STANFORD, UNITED STATES - AUGUST 1 : Ajla Tomljanovic in action at the 2015 Bank of the West Classic WTA Premier tennis tournament
Unfortunately, 2014 champion Serena Williams won’t be able to defend her title this year due to an elbow injury but there will still be plenty of the WTA’s big name players on hand in California this week.