KEY POINTS:
The ASB Classic has lured one of the rising stars of women's tennis and a second world top-20 player in Caroline Wozniacki.
The 18-year-old Dane started the year ranked 64th but is now the world No 15 after an impressive year, highlighted by three WTA tour singles titles and one doubles title as well as a number of wins over top-10 players.
Her confirmation comes on the back of news last week that world No 5 and Olympic champion Elena Dementieva will play in the January 5-10 tournament.
ASB Classic tournament director Brenda Perry promised more top players will be heading to Auckland.
Although she wouldn't discuss names, Nadia Petrova (13th), Daniela Hantuchova (14) and Katarina Srebotnik (21) have all played here in the past, while former world No 1 and current No 22 Amalie Mauresmo might be ripe for a return after playing here as a qualifier in 1997. The full list of players will be known on November 26.
"I'm hopeful we will be able to get another top-20 player," Perry said. "I have been talking to everybody about their plans.
"Any tournament in the world would be delighted to have Dementieva and Wozniacki in the field, so for us to kick off with them is great. They are both very exciting and players that will bring charisma to the tournament.
"Everyone's talking about Caroline as a rising star. She's dynamic and hungry for success."
Wozniacki is the youngest player in the top 20 but came to prominence when she won the 2006 junior Wimbledon title as a 15-year-old. She played her first full season on the WTA tour last year, rising into the world's top 100 after a series of promising results.
"I'm very excited to play for the first time in Auckland in January," she said. "I feel this will be the ideal preparation for the Australian Open later in the month.
"I have heard only great things about Auckland from my friends on tour."
