Graf, Seles Headline Glossy Field for Evert Cup at Indian Wells

Eight of the top 10 players on the women’s tennis tour have committed to play in the State Farm Evert Cup, which runs March 7-15 at the Hyatt Grand Champions at Indian Wells.

Steffi Graf--last year’s champion--Monica Seles, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Lindsay Davenport, Amanda Coetzer, Mary Joe Fernandez, Chanda Rubin and Mary Pierce are among those expected to participate.

The players may be drawn by the dramatically increased purse, which more than doubled from $550,000 last year to $1.25 million this year. The winner will receive $205,000.

The event is running at about the same time as the Newsweek Champions Cup, which last year drew Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Michael Chang and Thomas Muster. The men’s event runs March 10-16.