Tennis: ASB Classic qualifying draw

New Zealand's would-be qualifiers for the main draw of the ASB Classic women's tennis tournament, which starts on Monday, face French obstacles in their quest to join Marina Erakovic among the local contingent.

Canterbury's Ellen Barry is pitted against Stephannie Cohen-Aloro tomorrow while Auckland's Kairangi Vano takes on Severine Bremond.

The top seed in qualifying is Germany's Kristina Barrois who has a current WTA ranking of 78 - she faces Australian Sophie Ferguson.

Second seed and world No.79 Anastasija Sevastova (Latvia) has drawn Canadian Rebecca Marina.

Other notable matches include two-time former champion Eleni Daniilidou of Greece playing Romanian Edina Gallovits, a quarterfinalist at the event last year.

While 2008 tournament semifinalist, Tamira Paszek starts her comeback from a year of injuries with a clash against American Carly Gullickson.

Qualifying first round

Centre court

Anastasia Pivovarova(RUS) v Pauline Parmentier(FRA), Severine Bremond Beltrame(FRA) v Kairangi Vano (NZ), Ellen Barry(NZL) v Stephanie Cohen-Aloro(FRA), Carly Gullickson(USA) v Tamira Paszek(AUT), Eleni Daniilidou(GRE) v Edina Gallovits(ROU), Masa Zec Peskiric(SLO) v Laura Granville(USA)

Court 4

Petra Martic(CRO) v Chanelle Scheepers(RSA), Elena Baltacha(GBR) v Sharon Fichman(CAN), Valerie Tetreault(CAN) v Katie O'Brien(GBR), Anastasija Sevastova(LAT) v Rebecca Marina(CAN), Kristina Barrois(GER) v Sophie Ferguson(AUS)

Court 6

Stephanie Dubois(CAN) v Alexandra Panova(RUS), Julia Vakulenko(UKR) v Kai-Chen Chang(TPE), Renata Voracova(CZE) v Kristina Kucova(SVK), Julia Schruff(GER) v Sofia Arvidsson(SWE).

- NZPA