Tennis: 4 players to watch in the ASB Classic

Marina Erakovic
(New Zealand)

Age: 16. Ranking: None. Seeding: Wildcard.

Why: She's New Zealand's brightest tennis talent, the world No 9 junior, winner of the US Open junior doubles this year and Wimbledon doubles finalist. The 16-year-old has the shots, but lacks the experience, which will come with time. This is the ideal chance to show how much progress she has made.

Prospects: She won't win the tournament. That's for fairytales, but if she wins her opening match you'll hear the cheers in Queen Street. And she's a decent chance, depending on the draw. 
 
Marion Bartoli
(France)

Age: 20. Ranking: 41. Seeding: 6.

Why: Yet to win a WTA title, but France's fifth-ranked player is far from the worst going around. She was in the semifinals this year, but blew a great chance to make the final against American Ashley Harkleroad. A member of the French Fed Cup team. In a year when there is no overwhelming favourite, Bartoli, who arrived to prepare early this week, should fancy her chances of a debut title.

Prospects: All depends on tomorrow's draw. 

Jelena Jankovic

(Serbia)

Age: 19

Ranking: 28

Seeding: 2

Why: Jankovic has been a big mover up the rankings this year. She began the year at No 85 but a string of impressive results, including her first WTA singles title at Budapest in April, put her among the shining lights of the past 12 months.

Prospects: Must be good. Her favourite surface is hardcourt and she's racked up some wins over class players this year. 

Amy Frazier

(United States)

Age: 32

Ranking: No 26

Seeding: 1

Why: Hard to beat. Frazier has been around the women's game 17 years, pocketed more than US$3.1 million ($4.35 million), won 11 WTA singles and doubles titles and won't make it easy for any of the younger pretenders. A baseliner who relishes long rallies, so should give spectators their money's worth.

Prospects: As good as any in the field, and better than most.