Emma Raducanu one of three Grand Slam champions among 22-strong field confirmed for the ASB Classic. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Three Grand Slam tennis champions will headline the women's field at the ASB Classic.
US Open champions Emma Raducanu and Sloane Stephens and Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin have been confirmed for the Auckland event, set for the ASB Tennis Arena from 2 to 8 January.
The top seed for the tournament is world No. 7 Coco Gauff (USA) who is a runner up at the French Open.
Canadian Leylah Fernandez, a runner-up in the US Open, was also among the initial 22 entries confirmed on Thursday.
Given a three-year break, and with the New Zealand event being restricted to one player ranked in the world's top-10, tournament director Nicolas Lamperinare was plaeased with the quality and depth of talent that would be on display.
"We are celebrating the centenary of tennis at the ASB Tennis Arena, and I trust that the quality of this field is a fitting legacy to the great players who have graced these courts over the last 100 years," Lamperin said.
"Given we have two WTA 500 tournaments across the Tasman competing with us, who have no restrictions on the number of top-10 players, then I am thrilled with the wonderful support we have had from some of the very best female players on the planet.
Lamperin has confirmed the 22 players plus two of his four wildcard selections, with two more to come along with six players to progress from qualifying.
Stephens and fellow American Lauren Davis are former champions returning to Auckland.
Stephens, who has been as high as No 3 in the world and has won seven WTC titles, triumphed at the ASB Classic in 2016, while Davis is returning for the ninth time including her victory in 2017.
"We are blessed that these leading players have enjoyed their experiences on and off the court in Auckland and continue to return," said Lamperin.
"We have also been able to provide opportunities for players who have been at the top of the sport, but are coming back to the sport from prolonged injury."
Raducanu and Kenin, who both rose into the world's top-10, have chosen to play in Auckland as they return to the sport at the highest level.
Czech sisters Linda and Brenda Fruhvirtova, at 17 and 15 years respectively, are among stars of the future who will play in Auckland, with the older sister already with a WTA title to her credit and younger sister with a string of ITF titles.
Among the other young players to watch include the 21-year-old Chinese pair of Xiyu Wang, already in the world's top 50, and Xinyu Wang - no relation - who has already played in the Australian Open and is inside the world top 100.
The field:
1 Coco Gauff (USA) World Ranking 7; 2 Karolína Muchová (CZE) 22; 3 Sloane Stephens (USA) 37; 4 Leylah Fernandez (CAN) 40; 5 Bernarda Pera (USA) 44; 6 Xiyu Wang (CHN) 50; 7 Danka Kovinić (MON) 57; 8 Madison Brengle (USA) 59; 9 Lin Zhu (CHN) 64; 10 Rebecca Marino (CAN) 65; 11 Elisabetta Cocciaretto (ITA) 66; 12 Tatjana Maria (GER) 70; 13 Tereza Martincová (CZE) 73; 14 Emma Raducanu (GBR) 75; 15 Linda Fruhvirtova (CZE) 77; 16 Anna Blinkova 80; 17 Julia Grabher (AUT) 83; 18 Dalma Gálfi (HUN) 84; 19 Tamara Zidanšek (SLO) 85; 20 Xinyu Wang (CHN) 86; 21 Lauren Davis (USA) 87; 22 Catherine McNally (USA) 93.
Wildcards: Brenda Fruhvirtova (CZE), Sofia Kenin (USA).